The Malawi National Women’s Football Team, known as the Scorchers, is preparing for the Four Nations FIFA Series tournament, which will take place in Kenya from April 11 to 15, 2026. This tournament is significant as it provides a platform for the team to assess their readiness ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) scheduled for July 2026 in Morocco.

Head coach Lovemore Fazili has named a provisional squad of 35 players, which includes 10 foreign-based and 25 locally based athletes. Notably, 23 of these players participated in the recent COSAFA Women’s Championship held in South Africa in February, showcasing their competitive experience.

The Scorchers will face tough competition in the tournament, going up against hosts Kenya, Australia, and India. Their campaign will kick off against Australia, a team ranked 15th in the world, on April 11. Fazili emphasized the importance of these matches, stating, “These games are crucial to us as a team because we are playing against big teams like Australia.”

The tournament format allows the winners of the two matches to progress to the final, while the losing teams will compete for third place. This structure adds an element of urgency and significance to each match, as the Scorchers aim to build the right combination of players for future competitions.

Fazili expressed that the tournament is not just about winning but also about learning and improving the team’s performance. He noted, “We are going there to learn and improve as we prepare for WAFCON.” Building the right combination will be a top priority during this tournament, as the Scorchers look to enhance their competitiveness on the international stage.

The Scorchers have largely maintained the squad that participated in the COSAFA Women’s Championship, indicating a strategic approach to team development. As the tournament approaches, the focus will be on how well the team can adapt and perform against formidable opponents.

As the tournament date nears, details remain unconfirmed regarding the final lineup and strategies that will be employed by the Scorchers. However, the anticipation surrounding their matches is building, with fans eager to see how the team will fare against their rivals.