Mtumbuka the prophet: Scorchers follow his 3-1 script

Forget the prophets who would cough, pause and leave everyone guessing. You can now start calling Mathews Mtumbuka Prophet of the Scorchers, after the Rumphi Central MP called a 3-1 Malawi win over Algeria before the match.

Speaking on Wednesday during the opening of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA Africa Region meeting in Lilongwe, Mtumbuka told delegates that best wishes for Malawi would translate into a 3-1 win.

He explained that while the Scorchers were set to win 2-1, Malawi’s humility would push them to a 3-1 result.

“Best of luck to our women’s football team tonight. In Malawi, we are very humble. We were going to win 2-1, but with the best wishes I know the Right Honourable Speaker will extend to our wonderful ladies, we are going to increase the margin from 2-1 to 3-1,” Mtumbuka said.

Scorchers to the finals

The Malawi National Team delivered, securing the 3-1 win with two goals from Tabitha Chawinga and one from her sister, Temwa Chawinga.

The match was played at Stade Olympique in Rabat. Prolific player Rose Kabzere was shown a red card following a late tackle on an Algerian player.

Just as the prophet Isaiah foretold the fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians, Mtumbuka foretold the fall of the Algerian national team a side that had remained unbeaten since the start of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Could Mtumbuka now be like the prophet Zechariah, who spoke of a king riding on a donkey? Will his words continue to be fulfilled as the Scorchers rise from debutants to African heroines?

The Scorchers will now face Cameroon in the 2026 WAFCON final on the evening of Sunday, 16th August 2026.