Zimbabwe and Malawi prepare for Olympic qualifying football showdown

Zimbabwe and Malawi are preparing for their first-leg matchup in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers. The two-legged tie begins on October 9, 2026, at Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe, followed by a return leg in Harare on October 13.

Zimbabwean head coach Stella Gotal has finalized a 24-player squad for the Mighty Warriors. The roster features a mix of veteran experience, including Rio 2016 Olympian Emmaculate Msipa, and emerging talent such as England-based goalkeeper Tanyaradzwa Nyakuchena. Gotal faces a selection challenge in goal due to the presence of multiple capable shot-stoppers.

Malawi's national team, known as the Scorchers, has bolstered its squad with the arrival of several foreign-based players, including Temwa Chawinga from the US and Tabitha Chawinga and Rose Kabzere from France. However, the team will be without playmaker Faith Chimzimu due to injury and Asante Khamula due to logistical issues. The Scorchers enter the qualifiers following a silver-medal performance at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.