Mumba says politicians’ rush was bad omen after Malawi’s WAFCON 3-0 loss

Malawi lost 3-0 to Cameroon in Sunday’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final, finishing as runners-up in their first appearance at that stage. Former Cabinet minister Vitumbiko Mumba said the late arrival of politicians in Morocco to be associated with the Scorchers’ campaign had felt like a “bad omen”.

Mumba criticised those who travelled for the final matches after the team had already built its historic run. He argued that some politicians were attempting to claim recognition for an achievement to which they had not contributed. He also rejected attempts to link the Scorchers’ progress to the leadership of those in power.

The defeat was Malawi’s second in the competition. The Scorchers opened the group stage with a 2-1 loss to Zambia but recovered to reach the knockout rounds. They then eliminated Ghana in the quarter-finals and Algeria in the semi-finals before Cameroon ended their title bid in the final.

Mumba said the players had performed exceptionally during the campaign. He warned politicians seeking to benefit from the team’s success to keep their distance if Malawi are to make the most of next year’s global tournament. His comments came after the Scorchers fell one match short of becoming African champions.

Despite the final loss, Malawi’s run delivered the country’s best result in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Mumba congratulated the squad and also praised National Bank of Malawi, the team’s official sponsors, for their support throughout the campaign. The Scorchers’ second-place finish remains a landmark result, even though their final ended in a heavy defeat.