A Malawian social media commentator has spoken out against a wave of cruel body-shaming aimed at Scorchers goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo, after the player came under fire online following mistakes in the team’s 2-1 defeat to Zambia at WAFCON. Sarah Munthali added her voice to mounting criticism of the online abuse, saying she was left heartbroken after reading comments mocking Sikelo’s weight rather than her performance on the pitch. ‘The jokes may seem harmless to some, but they leave scars that people carry for years,’ she wrote. Munthali insisted there was nothing wrong with criticising Sikelo’s goalkeeping if warranted, but drew a firm line between fair football analysis and outright cruelty. Munthali closed her message with a plea for greater compassion from fans, reminding trolls that Sikelo has feelings, a family – and very likely reads the comments herself.