Thoko Mwase, Bernadetta Mkandawire, Lyna James, Mary Chavinda, and Bridget Malemia have earned places in the Malawi Women’s National Team provisional squad ahead of the 2025 COSAFA Women’s Championship.
Head coach Lovemore Fazili included the five FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women players in his 32-member squad in preparation for the tournament, scheduled to take place in Polokwane, South Africa, from 18 February to 1 March 2026.
The regional championship will feature top Southern African teams. The players will need to impress the technical panel to secure spots in the final squad.
Their selections reward standout performances in the just-ended NBM Women’s Premiership, where Bullets Women finished fourth, and reflect their growing impact at both club and national team levels.
Goalkeeper Mwase was a mainstay for Maule Ladies throughout most of the season. She demonstrated consistency, composure, and leadership between the posts. Her performances at club level, combined with recent Malawi call-ups, earned her a spot in the provisional COSAFA squad.
Malemia stepped in during the final stages of the season after Mwase sustained an injury. Her performances were key in the closing stages of the campaign, helping Bullets Women secure their fourth-place finish. She had previously been involved with Malawi, receiving a late call-up in February 2025 ahead of friendly games against Zambia, though she did not make the final squad.
Mkandawire remains a Scorchers regular. The right-back played a pivotal role in helping Malawi reach the 2026 WAFCON Finals. At club level, she anchored Bullets Women’s backline with discipline, awareness, and leadership, making her one of the team’s most reliable defenders.
In the just-ended national campaign, midfielder Lyna James was often deployed as a defender by head coach Maggie Chombo, providing stability while linking defence and attack. Her tactical awareness, work rate, and versatility at club level, alongside recent national team call-ups, make her a key member of the provisional squad.
Chavinda finished the season with seven goals from ten matches, leading Bullets Women’s attack. The forward was last involved with Malawi in August 2025 during friendlies against Lesotho but missed the WAFCON qualifiers against Angola due to injury. Her goal-scoring ability and movement make her a vital asset for both club and country.
As preparations continue in Blantyre, the Bullets representatives will be aiming to impress the national team technical panel and secure places in the final squad.
Full Provisional List
Goalkeepers: Mercy Sikelo (Kukoma Ntopwa), Thoko Mwase (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lioness), Martha Mbewe (Civil Service Women), Jane Nyirenda (Topik), Bridget Malemia (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Esther Maulidi (Mighty Wanderers Queens)
Defenders: Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe), Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Rose Alufandika (Kukoma Ntopwa), Maggie Chavula (Ascent Soccer Academy), Doreen Dickson (MDF Lioness), Bernadetta Mkandawire (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Justina Jumbo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Gladys Joseph (Civil Service Women), Shilla Mangani (Mighty Wanderers Queens), Tionge Phiri (Silver Strikers Ladies), Alinafe Majora (Ascent Soccer Academy)
Midfielders: Madina Nguluwe (Silver Strikers Ladies), Jessie Yosefe (Civil Service Women), Asimenye Simwaka (Free Agent/MDF Lioness), Lyna James (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Funny Magombo (Kukoma Ntopwa), Catherine Kachala (MDF Lioness)
Forwards: Debora Henry (Silver Strikers Ladies), Mary Chavinda (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Civil Service Women), Chikondi Gondwe (Silver Strikers Ladies), Sabina Thom (Phoenix Football Feminin Marrakech), Vanessa Chikupila (Palm Hills Women’s FC), Tendai Sani (ZISD), Chisomo Banda (Konkola Blades Queens).
