By Dorcas Francis Koji
Malawi midfielder Faith Chinzimu has described the country’s historic qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations as one of the proudest moments of her young career, with the teenager determined to help the Scorchers continue their remarkable journey on the continental stage.
Malawi made history by qualifying for the WAFCON for the first time, but the Scorchers have gone beyond simply participating after producing one of the tournament’s biggest shocks.
The debutants stunned record 10-time champions and defending holders Nigeria 3-2 in their opening Group C fixture, giving the team renewed belief that they can compete with Africa’s established women’s football powers.
The result has also kept Malawi firmly in contention for a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
For Chinzimu, the journey began with an unforgettable performance against Angola in October 2025.
The 19-year-old scored twice within two minutes in Lilongwe on October 28, 2025, helping Malawi secure a 2-0 aggregate victory and book their historic place at the continental showpiece.
Reflecting on the moment, Chinzimu said the achievement carried immense emotional significance.
“After that game I felt so much joy and pride. I thought about my family, my coaches and all the people who supported me. Qualifying for WAFCON was a dream we worked so hard for as a team,” she said.
“In that moment, I realised we had made history and that we were putting Malawi women’s football on the map. I was just grateful to God and to my teammates.”
Chinzimu has quickly established herself within the Malawi senior team and has benefited from playing alongside two of the country’s biggest football stars, sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga.
The young midfielder believes their experience has provided valuable lessons as she develops her own career.
“Playing with both Tabitha and Temwa is a huge blessing. I’ve learnt so much about discipline, hard work and believing in yourself,” she said.
“They always tell me to stay focused, work hard in training and never be afraid to take chances. They lead by example. They show us that if you come from Malawi, you can still reach the top. They push me to be better every day.”
Tabitha Chawinga has enjoyed a successful career in European football, while Temwa has established herself as one of the leading forwards in the United States.
Their achievements have provided inspiration for younger Malawian players, including Chinzimu, who hopes to follow their path and further raise the profile of women’s football in the country.
The midfielder believes Malawi’s historic WAFCON campaign can have an impact far beyond the tournament itself.
For a nation making its first appearance at the competition, the Scorchers have already demonstrated that they can challenge some of Africa’s most decorated teams.
Chinzimu hopes their performances will encourage more young girls in Malawi to take up football and believe that they too can reach the highest level.
As Malawi continue their historic campaign, the 19-year-old is determined to make the most of the opportunity while helping inspire the next generation of Malawian footballers.
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