BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya says the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, will travel to Morocco with a clear mission to compete at the highest level rather than to merely test their capabilities.

Addressing journalists during a media briefing, Haiya said FAM has ensured that the team undergoes thorough preparations, including arranging targeted friendly matches to strengthen tactical cohesion and readiness ahead of the upcoming WAFCON tournament.

He further disclosed that FAM is working on introducing a Four Nations Tournament, which is expected to become a permanent feature of the Scorchers’ long-term development agenda.

Dates for the tournament and participating nations will be announced once consultations are finalized.

Haiya explained that the tournament will give the team consistent international engagement, helping Malawi to maintain competitive form beyond the qualifiers.

The FAM president extended his appreciation to government institutions and development partners for their financial and logistical support, saying the assistance has enabled the Scorchers to meet crucial qualification requirements.

He also applauded the media for continuously promoting women’s football by ensuring that the Scorchers’ achievements are well covered, a move he said helps motivate the players and increase public support.

The Scorchers secured their spot at WAFCON after defeating Angola 2–0 in a decisive qualifier played at Bingu National Stadium on 28 October 2025, a result Haiya described as a historic step in Malawi’s women’s football journey.

Haiya said he is delighted with the team’s continuous progress, noting that since the Scorchers’ formation in 1998, there has been steady improvement, culminating in consistent appearances in major qualification campaigns.

Two of the teams that Malawi faced during the WAFCON qualifiers are expected to participate in the upcoming Four-Nations Tournament, giving the Scorchers an opportunity to evaluate their strength against familiar opponents.

According to Haiya, one of FAM’s key ambitions is to guide the Scorchers toward qualifying for the Women’s World Cup and eventually achieving a top finish at WAFCON.

He added that these objectives are attainable with discipline, planning, and sustained investment.

Haiya also reported that FAM has fulfilled 98% of its targets for 2025 but admitted that securing sponsorship for beach soccer remains a challenge.

However, he confirmed that discussions with a potential sponsor are currently underway.

He clarified that although securing sponsorship is not solely the association’s responsibility, FAM is committed to finalizing all ongoing negotiations to ensure all football disciplines grow.

Responding to questions about the Flames’ performance, Haiya said the men’s national team has achieved its 2025 target by improving its FIFA ranking from 134 to 128, adding that further improvements are expected with continued effort.

He concluded by saying that the Scorchers’ technical panel should not feel pressured by the WAFCON targets.

Instead, he said the expectations should serve as motivation for the players and staff as they work toward realizing the dream of qualifying for the Women’s World Cup.

The Maravi Post