Malawi Takes the World by Storm: Scorcher's Cosafa Victory - A Tale for Women Pursuing Their Dreams

Temwa, Madyina and Sabinah Pictured carrying their awards after Cosafa Final.

In the world of sports, particularly in football, it has been many years since Malawi has won an International Cup. So, bagging the grand prize was an unexpected gift to the warm heart of Africa. Winning the Hollywood Bets Cosafa has brought about a great sense of pride and inspiration in the hearts of the people of Malawi. The Scorchers played exceptionally well, with an undefeated streak in the tournament. Three standout players have emerged from the team: Temwa Chawinga (Captain), Madyina Ngulube, and Sabinah Thom, all of whom were also awarded at the tournament for their exceptional play. Their stories serve as inspiration for women pursuing their dreams and conquering obstacles. They have their own unique narratives to share on their journey to victory.

TEMWA CHAWINGA

When you hear the name Chawinga, the immediate thought that comes to mind is football excellence. Temwa Chawinga played exceptionally well, rightfully earning the following accolades: Player of the Tournament, Tournament top scorer, x2 Player of the match, x2 hat-tricks, Semifinalists best 11, Finalists best 11.

Temwa started playing football when she witnessed her older sister, Tabitha, play the game. She saw how passionate and talented her sister was and was inspired to quickly fall in love with the game. She emphasizes the importance of hard work and consistency. She currently plays for Wuhan Chegu Jiang Women’s Football Club.

"It is not what you see during the game that wins the match, it is what happens behind the scenes at training grounds and the gym. Keep working hard to achieve what you want in life. I will personally give my all on and off the pitch to help my team reach higher steps."

Temwa Chawinga Pictured carrying the Cosafa Cup 2023

MADYINA NGULUBE

Madyina Ngulube is a remarkable player who showcased her talent during the COSAFA tournament and was recognized as the Most Valuable Player. In a family filled with athletes, the men play football and the women play netball. Madyina initially pursued a professional career in netball but was often placed on the bench due to her height. Eventually, a friend encouraged her to join DD Sunshine, and she never looked back.

"The road to this latest success was not always easy. I faced a lot of challenges, and there were times I felt like quitting and trying something else. Unfortunately, our communities don't always support us that much, and it's a real challenge. But through prayer, hard work, and discipline, I managed to overcome those challenges."

Madyina Pictured defending the ball during the Cosafa Cup 2023

Madyina stresses that talent knows no gender and that women can be just as talented as men. She sees Malawi becoming one of the top teams in Africa and the world and believes that success in women's sports will have a positive impact beyond just sports. She currently plays for Silver Strikers Women’s Football Club.

"We are walking towards the right direction. It's a journey, and we, as a nation, are on the right path. I will personally give my all on and off the pitch to help my team reach higher steps. Our success is evidence that if we focus more on women's sports, our country's flag will fly high."

SABINAH THOM

Sabinah Thom is another outstanding player who was recognized as one of the 11 best players of the tournament. She contributed to 3 of the 19 goals that Malawi scored at the tournament. Her highlights included scoring two goals in an 8-0 win against Eswatini and the winning goal in injury time during the final against Zambia. In 2021, the Scorchers reached the final for the first time in their history. They faced South Africa, and the game concluded with a score of South Africa 2, Malawi 3, with me scoring two goals.

"When I started playing football, I didn't even know that there were other girls who played. I played with boys until someone informed me about a women's team. Seeing fellow girls play made me passionate about women's football."

Sabinah Pictured dodging a tackle during the Cosafa Cup 2023

Sabinah advises that women who want to play football need to work extra hard and be disciplined, both on and off the pitch. She notes the challenges the team faced due to a lack of funding but acknowledges the efforts made by the FA and the National Women's Football Association to secure sponsorship.

She, too, was inspired by Tabitha Chawinga and recognizes the importance of never giving up. Sabinah believes that with this recent success, more support, especially from the corporate world, will come to women's football in Malawi. Her message to young people is to keep believing in yourself and work hard to achieve your dreams. She is currently playing for Tp Mazembe

""The future looks bright, and with this success, more people, especially the corporate world, will come to support women's football in the country. Given enough support, our league can be among the best, and the Scorchers can easily take Malawi to the World Cup.""