COSAFA Women’s Championship: South Africa vs Malawi Preview

The 2025 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship takes place on 18 February 2026 in Polokwane, South Africa, with Banyana Banyana facing the Malawi Scorchers in a Group A clash that will set the tone for both sides’ regional ambitions.

Banyana Banyana vs. Eswatini, COSAFA Women’ Championship 2024

A Tournament Shaped by Southern African Rivalry

The COSAFA Women’s Championship has long been dominated by South Africa women's national football team, who are the most successful side in the competition’s history with seven titles (2002, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020). They have also finished runners-up three times (2011, 2022, 2024), underlining their consistent presence at the business end of the tournament.

However, recent years have seen the regional balance shift. Zambia women's national football team lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2024, while Malawi etched their name into the history books in 2023.

For Malawi women's national football team, the 2023 triumph marked a watershed moment. It was their first-ever COSAFA Women’s Championship title, achieved with a memorable final victory over Zambia. That success confirmed Malawi’s rise from consistent challengers — including a runners-up finish in 2021 — to regional champions.

Hosts Seeking Another Crown

South Africa, playing on home soil in Polokwane, are looking to reassert their dominance. While Zambia enter the tournament as defending champions, Banyana Banyana will be eager to make an early statement and reclaim the regional crown.

The COSAFA Championship also serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026, where South Africa will look to build on their continental pedigree.

Head coach Desiree Ellis has emphasised the dual purpose of this tournament — competing for silverware while fine-tuning her squad ahead of WAFCON.

“What we want to see is that connection, that synergy and obviously you want to win your first game... to make sure when we do our final selection for WAFCON we have the mix right.”

Malawi’s Growing Belief

Malawi arrive in Group A — alongside South Africa, Angola and Lesotho — with confidence rooted in recent success. Under coach Lovemore Fazili, the Scorchers have developed resilience and tactical discipline, traits that powered their 2023 title run and a strong showing in subsequent tournaments.

Fazili has expressed belief in his squad’s ability to navigate a competitive group:

“With good preparation, we believe we can progress to the knockout stages.”

History Adds Extra Edge

Meetings between South Africa and Malawi at COSAFA tournaments have often carried weight. South Africa’s pedigree and tournament experience contrast with Malawi’s upward trajectory and hunger to prove their 2023 success was no anomaly.

With both nations qualified for WAFCON 2026, this game is more than a routine group fixture. It is a clash between the region’s most decorated side and one of its fastest-rising forces — a match that could shape not only Group A, but the broader narrative of this year’s COSAFA campaign.

At Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, history and ambition collide once again.