“Kuzapita, kuzabwelera mbuyo”: Through the dark, united as one, Malawi welcomes home the Scorchers

• Politics forgotten as soldiers, mothers, taxi drivers and grandmothers unite for extraordinary homecoming — with military escort leading Scorchers through the dark to a heroes’ welcome

For one unforgettable evening, Malawi wasn’t divided by politics, tribe or rivalry — it was simply united, standing together in the darkness to welcome home its footballing heroines.

The Malawi Airways plane carrying the Scorchers touched down at precisely 4:30pm, greeted by an extraordinary spectacle as two fire trucks rolled forward, sending twin arches of water arcing over the aircraft in a stirring water salute that cut dramatically through the fading dusk light.

Phones lit up the tarmac like a sea of stars, as the crowd erupted into thunderous applause, ululations and chants of “Scorchers! Scorchers!” ringing out across the airport.

At the gates, an already massive crowd had gathered — a genuine cross-section of Malawian society standing shoulder to shoulder. DPP, MCP, UTM and Aford supporters stood side by side, their political colours momentarily forgotten.

Students, vendors, pastors, taxi drivers and grandmothers wrapped in chitenje all came together for one shared purpose. Nobody asked who anyone had voted for. Everyone was simply there for the Scorchers.

When the team finally emerged into the evening air, the airport erupted into scenes of pure jubilation — drums pounding, vuvuzelas blaring, songs filling the night sky.

Little girls in red jerseys reached desperately to touch their heroes, as banners reading “Welcome home Scorchers” fluttered above the crowd. Several players were visibly fighting back tears as they waved to the sea of adoring fans.

Kamuzu International Airport, for one extraordinary night, didn’t feel like an airport at all — it felt like home.

THE DRIVE THROUGH DARKNESS

As night fell across the capital, the celebrations showed no sign of slowing. The team’s convoy set off on an emotional journey through Kanengo, Area 18, Capital Hill and finally to Capital Hotel — and remarkably, the darkness did nothing to dampen the crowds’ spirits.

Mothers carried babies strapped to their backs. Elderly men and women stood patiently for hours on cold pavements. Nobody complained about the dark — the only thing that mattered was that the Scorchers were finally coming home.

Leading the extraordinary procession were Malawi Defence Force soldiers, marching in perfect formation alongside the team bus, their boots striking the tarmac in unison as flags were held proudly aloft. Their presence added a profound sense of national significance to proceedings — this wasn’t simply a football team returning home, but a nation honouring its own. Crowds saluted the soldiers in return, with some breaking into song specifically for the marching troops.

In Kanengo, factory lights and phone torches illuminated the roadside as workers streamed out of gates to join the celebrations, minibuses hooting relentlessly as thousands lined the pavements holding aloft whatever light they could find for the returning heroines.

The chant “Kudzapita kudzapitanki dzabwelera mbuyo!” echoed powerfully into the night as the MDF escort carved a path through the dense crowds.

By the time the convoy reached Area 18, the streets were absolutely packed. Thousands of residents held up phone lights across Lilongwe, mothers sang from their doorways, and elderly men stood quietly clapping as cars slowed to a respectful crawl, hazard lights flashing in tribute.

Soldiers walked the flanks of the convoy throughout, steady and proud, as the crowd pressed forward for a glimpse of their heroines.

Through the city centre, the bus was forced to slow to a crawl amid the sheer volume of well-wishers packing the streets, with chants of “Tili pambuyo pama Scorcher” rolling through the night air, while the MDF band led from the front, drums and brass keeping the celebratory tempo alive.

FINAL STOP: CAPITAL HOTEL

By the time the Scorchers finally arrived at Capital Hotel, the venue had transformed into a sea of light, with thousands having followed the convoy the entire way, braving both darkness and cold to be part of history. Songs of struggle were transformed into songs of pure pride as the crowd sang deep into the night.

Malawi Defence Force soldiers formed a striking guard of honour as the players stepped off the bus, standing rigidly at attention while the crowd continued their joyous celebrations around them. Even once the players had finally made their way inside, the crowd remained — singing, praying and celebrating long into the night.

There were no fights. No politics. Just Malawi, standing united in the darkness, honouring the daughters who had made the entire nation proud in the light.

Wednesday night proved something remarkable about this small, often divided nation: Malawians may disagree by day, but when the national flag is on the line, they walk together — even through the darkest of nights. And sometimes, they march.