After over two years in oblivion, the Malawi national women football team squad has finally been called up in readiness for an international friendly match against Tanzania at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe on October 24.
According to National Women Football Committee (NWFC) chairperson Severia Chalira, the national team will face Tanzania in preparation for the Confederation of Southern African Football Associations (Cosafa) Championships in Seychelles next March.
Women soccer went into a two-year break from participation in international competitions in 2013 to undergo the rebuilding process following embarrassing losses.
“This is provisional squad that comprises only local-based players. Professionals will be considered in our next international game before the Cosafa Tournament,” she said.
The squad of 25 local-based players, which national team coach Thom Mkorongo and his assistant Maggie Chombo-Sadiki have named has included 11 players that were not on the initial 34-player squad that was dismissed two months ago.
Goalkeeper Judith Mazamo; defenders Emily Jossam, Patricia Nyirenda and Sylvia January; midfielders Ruth Tambala, Naomi Mwale,Chimwemwe Sapangwa, Bridget Mkuzilire and Funny Mwale alongside Enelesio Mhango and Mary Chavinda have finally impressed the technical panel after they were left out in the initial list.
In spite of that, 14 players have retained their slots, namely goalkeepers Alice Msiska and Martha Banda; defenders Annia Lizzi, Ruth Nyirongo, Wezzie Mvula, Chimwemwe Madise and Elizabeth Chiphang’ombe; midfielders Madyina Ngulube, Elube Bottoman and Sungeni Msiska and strikers Temwa Chawinga, Linda Kasenda, Pilirani Malora and Vanessa Chikupira.n
