By Burnett Munthali
LILONGWE — Malawi’s Scorchers have returned home to a huge welcome after making history at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
First Lady Gertrude Mutharika joined Malawians in welcoming the team, which reached the WAFCON final and secured the country’s first-ever qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Brass Band welcomed the players at Kamuzu International Airport, where the team also received a ceremonial water salute.
As the Scorchers travelled through Lilongwe, large crowds lined the streets. Some danced and others ran alongside the convoy, celebrating the team’s achievement.
Malawi entered the tournament as debutants but surprised many by reaching the final. The Scorchers beat Ghana 2-1 in the quarter-finals to secure their World Cup place before defeating Algeria in the semi-finals.
Their historic run ended with a 3-0 loss to Cameroon in the final, with all three goals coming in the first half.
Despite the defeat, the Scorchers returned home as African runners-up and World Cup qualifiers.
The Chawinga sisters were key to the campaign. Temwa Chawinga scored five goals and won the Golden Boot, while Tabitha Chawinga added four. Together, they scored nine of Malawi’s 12 goals.
The homecoming was therefore more than a celebration of a silver medal. It was a celebration of a team that has taken Malawi’s women’s football to a new level and given the country a place on the world stage.
