Bernadetta Mkandawire, Lyna James, and Mary Chavinda have been named in the Malawi Women’s National Team final squad for the upcoming Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship.
The FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women trio have made the cut in Lovemore Fazili’s 24-member squad for the regional tournament, set to take place in Polokwane, South Africa, from 18 February to 1 March 2026.
Initially, the Malawi head coach had named five Bullets Women players — goalkeepers Thoko Mwase and Bridget Malemia, along with Mkandawire, James, and Chavinda — in his 32-member provisional squad called into camp earlier this month. The trio ultimately secured places in the travelling squad.
Their inclusion follows strong performances in the recently concluded NBM Women’s Premiership, where Bullets Women finished fourth, underlining the club’s growing contribution to the national setup.
Mkandawire remains a key figure in the Scorchers defence, having played an important role in Malawi’s qualification for the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals. The right-back was once again one of the team’s most dependable performers during the league campaign.
Midfielder James also retains her place in the national fold after being part of the WAFCON qualifying squad. Although she did not feature during the campaign, her consistency and work rate at club level have kept her firmly in the technical panel’s plans.
Chavinda returns to competitive international action after an impressive season in which she scored seven goals in ten matches to lead Bullets Women’s attack. She last featured for Malawi during friendly matches against Lesotho in August but missed the WAFCON qualifiers against Angola due to injury.
Our goalkeeping duo narrowly missed out on a place in the travelling squad. At club level, Mwase was a steady presence throughout the season before picking up an injury towards the end of the campaign, while Malemia stepped in during the closing stages and played a key role in securing Bullets Women’s fourth-place finish.
The Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship will bring together top Southern African sides and serves as an important preparatory platform ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April 2026.
The final squad also includes former Bullets Women players Tendai Sani and Vanessa Chikupila, who are now playing in Zambia and Egypt, respectively.
Malawi departs for South Africa on Monday morning. We wish all our stars and the Scorchers the very best.
The full list of the Scorchers final squad:
Goalkeepers: Mercy Sikelo (Kukoma Ntopwa), Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lioness), Esther Maulidi (Mighty Wanderers Queens)
Defenders: Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe), Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers), Rose Alufandika (Kukoma Ntopwa), Maggie Chavula (Ascent Soccer Academy), Maureen Kenneth (Ascent Soccer Academy), Doreen Dickson (MDF Lioness), Bernadetta Mkandawire (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Olivia Phikani (Kukoma Ntopwa), Tionge Phiri (Silver Strikers Ladies)
Midfielders: Madyina Ngulube (Silver Strikers), Sarah Mlimbika (Kukoma Ntopwa), Leticia Chinyamula (Ascent Soccer Academy), Lyna James (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Funny Magombo (Kukoma Ntopwa), Tendai Sani (Zisd)
Forwards: Debora Henry (Silver Strikers), Mary Chavinda (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Civil Service Women), Chikondi Gondwe (Silver Strikers), Vanessa Chikupila (Palm Hills Women), Chisomo Banda (Konkola Blades Queens)
