Football Legends Association says Scorchers deserve legendary status after WAFCON run

Malawi’s Football Legends Association (FLA) has said players in the Scorchers, the Malawi National Women’s Football Team, have earned legendary status in the country’s football history.

FLA and Malawi National Council of Sports board chairperson Jim Kalua told Nyasa Times the team’s performance at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, along with their qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, qualifies them for legend status under the association’s constitution.

The Scorchers reached the tournament’s final for the first time in the country’s history. In the group stages, they beat 10-time champions Nigeria 3-2 and Egypt 3-1, before losing 2-1 to Zambia. They then defeated Ghana 2-1 in the quarter-finals and Algeria 3-1 in the semi-finals to set up a final against Cameroon on Sunday.

“According to the constitution of Football Legends Association, Scorchers players are all eligible to the legends status with regard to their performance,” Kalua said, adding that they “qualify to register”.

He also thanked Sports Minister Alfred Gangata, Football Association of Malawi president Fleetwood Haiya, and National Women’s Football Association president Adelaide Migogo for their roles in supporting the development of women’s football in the country. Kalua said he was hopeful the team could win the tournament.

Head coach Lovemore Fazili and assistant coach Maggie Chombo, both members of the Football Legends Association, have said they are aiming to guide the Scorchers to the title.