Bullish Mwanalima dares Malawi ahead of potential LA 2028 qualifiers match up

Harambee Starlets captain and forward Mwanalima ‘Dogo’ Adam has stated that the team is ready to face either Malawi or Zimbabwe in the next round of the 2028 Olympic qualifiers, following their elimination of Seychelles at the Ulinzi Complex in Nairobi.

Mwanalima, who plays for HB Køge in the Danish Women's League, said this after grabbing a brace, helping Harambee Starlets turn on the style and cruise to the third round of the 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers after sweeping aside Seychelles 11-0 to complete an astonishing 22-0 aggregate over the Islanders.

“It was a good match; I think our opponents started the game intending to sit back and cut off our attacks, but neither side underestimated the other. The match felt just like a friendly—I hope I’m not misunderstood—and it served as great motivation for all the players, whether they played or not.

“Teamwork won the day; WAFCON is behind us, and we are now focused on the Olympic qualifiers.

“Our dream is to qualify for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, USA. We are now preparing for our next match, which will be against either Malawi or Zimbabwe,” said Mwanalima.

The result leaves Kenya facing the prospect of locking horns with either 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations finalists Malawi or Zimbabwe in the third round slated for between 23 February and 6 March 2027, but Mwanalima says they are ready for anyone.

“I think our next match will be a good one because both Malawi and Zimbabwe are stronger teams than Seychelles.

“As players, however, we have put the Seychelles match behind us and are now focused on the upcoming game; we are ready to face whoever our opponent turns out to be, as we will play our game just as our coach has taught us—we are prepared for anyone.”

The Malawi National Women’s Football Team, the Scorchers, will be looking to complete the job when they face Zimbabwe today at the National Sports Stadium, Harare, Zimbabwe in the return leg of the second preliminary round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers.

Malawi head into the encounter carrying a 2-0 advantage following their victory in the first leg at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Friday.

Sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga scored in either half to give Malawi a comfortable advantage heading into the decisive away fixture.