South African coach Sudesh Singh helps Malawi make history in Morocco

South African football coach Sudesh Singh played a pivotal role in Malawi's historic performance at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, helping the team secure a place in the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. Although Malawi ultimately finished as runners-up after losing to Cameroon in the final, they made history by reaching the tournament's final for the first time.

Singh joined the Scorchers as a technical advisor shortly before the competition and focused on creating a high-performance environment that emphasized professionalism, excellence, and alignment among the players.

Singh's approach involved implementing the Maximal Training (MT) methodology, which emphasizes a holistic approach to both on and off-the-field preparation. He placed a strong emphasis on attention to detail, including circadian rhythm, sleep schedules, and training routines. By developing a game model centered on Malawi's attacking strengths, particularly the abilities of the Chawinga sisters, and improving the team's defensive structure, Singh helped Malawi reach the semi-finals, a feat that had never been achieved by a Malawian women's team before.

Despite the team's ultimate loss to Cameroon, Singh emphasized the significance of Malawi's achievement as a turning point for African women's football. He believes that the project demonstrates the importance of modern, scientific, and context-specific coach education in African football. Singh also highlighted the role of strong leadership, citing the contributions of the Football Association of Malawi's President, Fleetwood Haiya, Head of Development, Felister Dossi, and the FAM support staff.

For Singh, the experience was a testament to the power of a unified approach and proper planning in African football. While Malawi fell short of the WAFCON title, their success marks a historic milestone for Malawian women's football and sets a precedent for future achievements across the continent.