Last October, Malawi’s women’s football team made headlines by clinching the COSAFA Women’s Cup, making the nation beam with pride. They even showed South Africa’s Women’s team who’s boss on their own turf! It was a moment of pure Malawian glory, reminding us all why being Malawian rocks.
But hold up, where’s the team now? Have they vanished into thin air? It seems like they’ve gone MIA from the footba
ll scene. Our football bigwigs at the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and Women’s Football Association need to step up their game. We should’ve seen the team in action by now, maybe in a couple of friendly matches to keep their skills sharp. Friendly matches would not only keep the team on their toes but also help scout new talent for the future. Let’s face it, when stars like Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga eventually hang up their boots, we need a seamless transition.
Last year, even though the team triumphed, the prep was last-minute stuff. Thanks to a cash injection from Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, they even made it to South Africa. But relying on last minute heroics won’t cut it. Instead of gearing up for this year’s tournament, it feels like we’re hitting the snooze button. Are we serious about transforming the game, or are we just talking the talk? And what’s up with the National Women’s Championship?
Changing the format from league to cup might add some spice, but are we really nurturing our women’s football talent? It’s heartbreaking to hear about players like Ntopwa Queens’ facing pregnancy issues because of inactivity. These teams are the lifeblood of our national squad. If we don’t shake things up, don’t be shocked if the Scorchers fizzle out at the next COSAFA Cup. It’s time for FAM and all stakeholders to hustle because we’re all rooting for our Scorchers to bring home the gold again this year.
