Update: The Malawi Women's National Football Team, the Scorchers, received a grand welcome upon returning to Kamuzu International Airport following their first runners-up finish at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, according to Nyasa Times. First Lady Gertrude Mutharika personally greeted the squad, which secured a silver medal following a 3-0 defeat to Cameroon in the tournament final.
Confédération Africaine de Football President Patrice Motsepe officially praised the Malawian squad for their tournament performance, CAF Online reports. Following the final match, Football Association of Malawi President Fleetwood Haiya stated that the association aims to use this momentum to improve the team's FIFA world ranking, with the goal of climbing from their current 153rd position into the double digits, according to Nyasa Times.
In a separate development, a recent broadcast by the South African Broadcasting Corporation has sparked local backlash after South African Technical Advisor Sudesh Singh claimed significant credit for the team's success, Nyasa Times reports. Singh, who joined the Malawi technical setup less than two weeks before the tournament began, stated he built a professional culture for the squad. Malawian sports commentators criticised the broadcast, arguing that the World Cup qualification and tournament run were achieved through the long-term efforts of Malawian players and local coaching staff.