The FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women duo return to the Scorchers setup as Malawi prepare to face Zimbabwe in the 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers.
Bernadetta Mkandawire and Lyna James have been named in Malawi’s 28-member provisional squad for the opening round of the 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers against Zimbabwe.
The Bullets Women duo return to the Scorchers setup after being part of Malawi’s historic run at the TotalEnergies WAFCON 2026, where the team finished as African runners-up and secured qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
The call-ups come as the NBM Women’s Championship enters its third week, with Maule Ladies making a strong start to the new campaign. They lead the standings with six points from two matches, having scored four goals and kept two clean sheets.
Mkandawire and James have both made solid contributions in the opening two matches, continuing their strong start to the domestic campaign with another international call-up.
Mkandawire featured in every match of the WAFCON campaign, while James was part of the squad that reached the final on the Scorchers’ tournament debut.
Lovemore Fazili has retained much of the core that represented Malawi in Morocco, with preparations for the Olympic qualifiers set to begin in Lilongwe on Friday.
Malawi will host Zimbabwe in the first leg on 9 October before travelling for the return leg on 13 October. The winner on aggregate will advance to the next round, where they will face the winner between Kenya and Seychelles in February next year.
For Mkandawire and James, the latest call-up keeps both players involved with the Scorchers as Malawi begin another qualification campaign.
Malawi squad
Goalkeepers:
Mercy Sikelo (Kukoma Ntopwa Sisters), Esther Maulidi (Mighty Wanderers Queens), Jane Nyirenda (Rumphi Sisters), Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lioness).
Defenders:
Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe), Rose Alufandika and Olivia Phikani (Kukoma Ntopwa Sisters), Tionge Phiri and Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Maggie Chavula and Talandira Chinyamvula (Ascent Soccer Academy), Patricia Nyirenda (MDF Lioness), Bernadetta Mkandawire (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women).
Midfielders:
Rose Kadzere (Montpellier), Faith Chimzimu (Häcken FC-Sweden), Asante Khamula (Washington Adventist University), Tendai Sani (ZISD), Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent Soccer Academy), Chikondi Gondwe and Madyina Nguluwe (Silver Strikers Ladies), Lyna James (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women).
Forwards:
Tabitha Chawinga (Olympique Lyonnais), Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City), Chisomo Banda (Kokola Blades), Sarah Mlimbika (Green Buffaloes), Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lioness), Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Civil Service Women), Mayamiko Mkandawire (Ascent Soccer Academy), Vanessa Chikupila (Unattached).
