By Burnett Munthali
LILONGWE, Malawi — National Bank of Malawi Plc (NBM) has honoured the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, with a special welcome breakfast celebrating their historic performance at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and their emergence as one of the country’s most inspiring sporting success stories.
The breakfast, held on Friday, August 21, brought together government officials, football administrators, NBM executives, players and members of the Scorchers technical team in recognition of a campaign that captured national attention and raised Malawi’s profile on the continental stage.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Alfred Gangata attended the event alongside Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya and senior NBM officials, underscoring the significance of the team’s achievement and the growing momentum behind women’s football in Malawi.
The gathering offered NBM an opportunity to celebrate the players and technical staff for their determination, discipline and resilience during the tournament. The Scorchers’ performance has generated widespread excitement at home and strengthened hopes that Malawi can establish itself as a competitive force in African women’s football.
Scorchers star forward Tabitha Chawinga thanked NBM for its continued commitment to women’s football and support for the national team, saying backing from corporate partners and Malawians has been important in motivating the players to compete at the highest level.
Chawinga also appealed to Malawians to maintain their faith in the team as the players turn their attention to the next chapter of their journey. She stressed that sustained national and corporate support will be crucial as the Scorchers prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
For NBM, the breakfast reflected the important role the private sector can play in supporting national sporting excellence, particularly women’s sport, where greater investment can help athletes build on success and inspire a new generation of players.
The Scorchers’ WAFCON campaign has generated renewed enthusiasm around women’s football in Malawi, with the team’s exploits providing a powerful platform for attracting greater investment, improving player development and expanding opportunities for young girls aspiring to represent their country.
With WAFCON now behind them, attention is shifting to preparations for the global stage. The challenge will be to transform the excitement generated by their continental exploits into sustained investment, stronger preparations and continued support for the players and technical team.
NBM’s recognition adds to the wave of appreciation that has greeted the Scorchers following their historic campaign. As the team looks toward Brazil, expectations will be high, but so too will be the confidence that Malawi’s women can continue carrying the national flag with distinction on football’s biggest stage.
