Malawi women’s national football team has received a big boost following the return of influential midfielder Faith Chinzimu ahead of Tuesday’s match against hosts Zimbabwe in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifying round.
The 19-year-old, the Scorchers’ revelation at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final tournament held from June to July 2026 in Morocco, will be available for selection in the second leg match against the Mighty Warriors at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
WHY RETURN OF MIDFIELDER CHINZIMU HAS EXCITED COACH
The Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili could not hold his excitement over the availability of Chinzimu, a box-to-box midfielder capable of playing in multiple positions, including in defence.
“There is no injury. We have welcomed back Faith; a very good player,” said the coach about the Sweden-based midfielder who missed the first leg played in Lilongwe on Friday.
The HK Backen star is credited with taking Malawi to the WAFCON final tournament after she scored both goals in the 2-0 victory over Angola in a decisive second leg match played in Lilongwe in October 2025.
COACH FAZILI WARNS SCORCHERS
Fazili has since warned his wards against complacency after having won the first leg 2-0, saying the Zimbabweans can spring a comeback.
The 2-0 is water under the bridge. We are here focusing on Zimbabwe. This is a totally different game, and we have prepared the players mentally and psychologically,” said the coach.
The Scorchers beat the Mighty Warriors at Bingu National Stadium on October 9 in Lilongwe where Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga were on target.
The 2026 WAFCON silver medallists need any draw or any win to proceed to the next round of the Olympic qualifiers and date either Seychelles or Kenya.