Malawi’s Scorchers start the COSAFA Championship title defence on Wednesday with a game against Botswana.
The competition started on Tuesday.
The Scorchers will then face Madagascar on 26 October before wrapping up the group stage with a clash against Mauritius on October 28.
The Scorchers squad is as follows: Esther Maulidi (Mighty Wanderers Queens) provide back-up for Kawonga; in defence, Patricia Nyirenda (MDF Lioness), Bernadetta Mkandawire (Nyasa Big Bullets Women), while the midfielder has Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent Soccer) and Carolyne Mathyola (Silver Strikers Ladies), among others.
Upfront, the Scorchers will look to Vannesa Chikupila (Green Buffaloes-Zambia) and Mary Chavinda (Rayon-Rwanda) to secure goals.
The squad comprising 23 players has also featured five new faces including goalkeeper Yamikani Kawonga (MDF Lioness), Maureen Keneth (Ascent Soccer), Tendai Sani of Nyasa Big Bullets Women, Catherine Kachala and Pilirani Malora.
However, the Scorchers will have to fight hard to defend the title in the absence of key players such Temwa Chawinga who walked away with a golden boot award last year.
Meanwhile, coach Lovemore Fazili is confident that his charges will perform wonders at the tournament.
Malawi is now among elite club of nations who have lifted the trophy in recent years just like South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.
