The Malawi Scorchers have officially advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as Group C winners, despite a 2-1 defeat to Zambia in their final group match on Wednesday. According to ZamFoot, Tabitha Chawinga scored Malawi's only goal in the 72nd minute, which helped the team finish at the top of the group on goal difference ahead of Nigeria and Zambia. The progression prompted large dressing room celebrations in Rabat led by Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya, as reported by Nyasa Times. The Scorchers will face Ghana's Black Queens on Sunday, August 9, where a victory will secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The national team also welcomed the return of dual-sport athlete Asimenye Simwaka ahead of the knockout rounds. According to KICK442 Sport News, Simwaka rejoined the football squad in Morocco directly after completing her 200m track events for Team Malawi at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Head coach Lovemore Fazili described her return as a major morale booster for the players.
In facility news, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) granted Bingu National Stadium a provisional licence on Thursday to host sanctioned international matches. Nyasa Times reports that the approval allows the stadium to host the Flames' upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and Mighty Wanderers' CAF Champions League home fixtures. FAM chief executive Abdul Chiwalo confirmed that the association will collaborate with the government to upgrade the venue's pitch before the international matches begin.