Five FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women players have been called up to join the Malawi provisional squad in readiness for the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship.
Bernadetta Mkandawire, Grace Yotamu, Lyna James, Tendai Sani, and Pilirani Malora have all been included in Lovemore Fazili’s 38-member squad, which was announced on Wednesday.
The 2024 Cosafa competition, scheduled to take place in Gqeberha, South Africa, between October 22 and November 2, has attracted 14 teams.
This year’s tournament, divided into four groups, two containing four teams and two with three, is the biggest women’s international competition yet staged on the African continent.
Malawi, the defending champions, are in group B alongside Botswana, Madagascar and Mauritius.
The Scorchers will hope to win the group and qualify for the semi-finals as they seek to win their second successive Cosafa title.
MALAWI PROVISIONAL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mercy Sikelo (Ntopwa), Esther Maulidi (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Yamikani Kamanga (MDF), Hendrina Phiri (Fact), Mwayi Mhango (Moyale).
Defenders: Patricia Nyirenda (MDF), Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe – DRC), Ireen Khumalo (Green Buffaloes – Zambia), Benedetta Mkandawire (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Faith Chizimu (Ascent Academy), Maggie Chavula (Ascent Academy), Rose Alufandika (Ntopwa), Joyce Oposi (MDF), Gladys Joseph (Civil Service United), Grace Yotamu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets).
Midfielders: Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent Academy), Carolyne Mayhyola (Silver Strikers), Sara Mulimbika (Ndirande), Funny Magombo (Ntopwa), Asimenye Simwaka (MDF), Lyna James (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Jessie Yosefe (Civil Service United), Tendai Saini (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Ruth Tambala (MDF), Pililani Malora (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Wezzie Chavula (Silver Strikers), Linda Manda (Silver Strikers), Rose Kabzere (Montpellier – France).
Strikers: Kandau Banda (Ntopwa), Annie Mughogho (Hungry Lion/Ascent), Vannesa Chikupila (Green Buffaloes – Zambia), Mary Chavinda (Rayon – Rwanda), Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Zambia Zisd – Zambia), Sabina Thom (TP Mazembe – DRC), Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City – USA), Chisomo Banda (Silver Strikers), Catherine Kachala (MDF), Choma Okafor (University of Connecticut – USA), Tabitha Chawinga (Lyon – France).
