Hamstring injury rules Chimzimu out for three weeks

Sweden-based Malawian midfielder Faith Chimzimu has been ruled out for three weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury, dealing a potentially major blow to both her club side and the Malawi Women’s National Football Team ahead of a crucial 2028 Los Angeles Olympic qualifier against Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors in October.

The 19-year-old confirmed the injury setback on her Facebook page, revealing she has already begun rehabilitation work in the gym in a bid to be fit in time.

“[I will] be off for some weeks after sustaining [a] hamstring injury. We are still working in the gym,” Chimzimu said, with the BK Hacken midfielder also set to miss a string of Swedish league fixtures during her recovery.

Speaking separately, Chimzimu described the timing of the injury as a cruel blow.

“I will be out for three weeks. I will be working in the gym. Let us see what will happen after three weeks,” she said.

Should she fail to recover in time, Chimzimu risks missing the all-important Olympic qualifier, with the first leg set for Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on October 5, followed by the return leg in Zimbabwe a week later.

The youngster has established herself as one of the Scorchers’ most reliable performers, having enjoyed a stellar campaign at the recently concluded Caf Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where Malawi finished runners-up after a 3-0 defeat to eventual champions Cameroon.

Chimzimu netted against Egypt in the group stage and featured in every match for the Scorchers during their run to the final, having previously struck twice as Malawi thumped Angola 2-0 on aggregate in the qualifiers.

She also fired a brace for the Malawi Under-20 Women’s side in a 2-1 win over Nigeria at Bingu National Stadium during 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying — though the result ultimately wasn’t enough to see the Young Scorchers through, after they had lost the first leg 2-0 in Nigeria.

On the club front, Chimzimu played a starring role in helping BK Hacken win last season’s inaugural Europa Women’s League, becoming the first Malawian player ever to lift a European title.