By Burnett Munthali
CASABLANCA, Morocco — Malawi’s historic campaign at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has attracted strong support from home, with National Bank of Malawi (NBM) flying a group of customers, business partners and senior public officials to Morocco for the team’s quarter-final against Ghana.
The Scorchers responded with a 2-1 victory over Ghana, securing a place in the semi-finals and, in the process, qualifying Malawi for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.
NBM, which sponsors the Malawi women’s national team, arranged the trip as part of its efforts to support the players and recognise their performances during the tournament.
Among those who travelled were NBM Head of Corporate Banking Bernard Masi and Chief Risk Officer Charles Ulaya, as well as senior government officials and other prominent Malawians.
Automotive Products Finance Manager Linda Tembo, Blantyre Central legislator Gerald Tasaukadala, Cabinet ministers Shadreck Namalomba and Patricia Wiskes, and Ministry of Information Principal Secretary Harold Msusa were also part of the delegation.
The Malawian supporters added to an already vibrant atmosphere inside the stadium, repeatedly chanting words of encouragement as the Scorchers battled Ghana for a place in the last four.
Masi said the bank wanted its customers and partners to witness the team’s campaign at close quarters and contribute to the support surrounding the players.
“We are very happy with the performance of the Scorchers because they have made the nation proud by reaching this stage of the competition,” he said.
He said the decision to take supporters to Morocco was intended to recognise the team’s achievements and strengthen the backing behind the players.
Two NBM customers, Donard Nyirenda and Charles Msatiyenda, earned places on the trip after winning the bank’s “Waku WAFCON” promotional competition.
NBM employee Halima Mangani also travelled after winning an internal promotion and had earlier watched Malawi defeat Nigeria 3-2 in the team’s opening match of the tournament.
Namalomba and Wiskes have also attended NBM-organised WAFCON viewing events in Malawi, including the bank’s watch party in Lilongwe during the opening match.
Other Malawian supporters travelled independently. Blantyre City Mayor Jomo Osman was among those seen in the stands, while Chikwawa West MP Susan Dossi made the journey at her own expense.
The strong Malawian presence in Morocco reflects the growing public interest surrounding the Scorchers’ unprecedented tournament campaign.
Malawi entered the competition as one of the lower-ranked teams among the 16 finalists but exceeded expectations by progressing from a group that included continental heavyweights Nigeria and Zambia.
The victory over Ghana has now taken the team into the semi-finals and secured a historic place at the Women’s World Cup.
For Malawi, the tournament has therefore become more than a continental football campaign. It has developed into a moment of national pride, with supporters, businesses and public figures rallying behind a team that has rewritten the country’s women’s football history.
