‘Now let’s reach the semis!’ First Lady urges Scorchers to chase historic World Cup dream

First Lady Gertrude Mutharika has led the wave of national celebration after the country’s women’s football team, the Scorchers, sailed into the quarter-finals of the ongoing 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Malawi topped Group C on six points, finishing above defending champions Nigeria and neighbours Zambia after all three sides finished level – with goal aggregate ultimately separating the trio and handing Malawi top spot in the group.

The historic achievement prompted a gushing message of support from the First Lady, who declared herself the team’s ‘biggest fan’ as she praised the players for inspiring the nation.

‘Hearty congratulations to the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, for progressing to the Quarter-finals at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco,’ she said in a statement.

‘Your achievements continue to inspire millions of football-loving Malawians across the nation, including myself, your biggest fan.’

The First Lady wasted no time in setting her sights higher, urging the squad to build on their momentum and chase an even greater prize.

‘The group stage is done,’ she said. ‘Now, let’s stay focused on reaching the semi-finals and securing our first-ever World Cup appearance!’

The Scorchers’ remarkable run has captured the imagination of the football-mad nation, with the team defying expectations as the lowest-ranked of all 16 sides to qualify for the tournament, only to finish top of a group stacked with continental heavyweights.

Malawi will now face either Ghana or Mali in the last eight, with a place in the semi-finals – and a historic first-ever ticket to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil – hanging in the balance, giving the nation’s supporters every reason to believe the fairytale run is far from over.