Malawi arrived in Morocco for their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with little experience of the continental tournament. Ranked 153rd in the world, the Scorchers were making their debut at a competition traditionally dominated by established African powers.
They have since turned that debut into a historic title challenge.
Malawi’s campaign began with a difficult group-stage meeting against Nigeria, the ten-time African champions. The Scorchers responded with one of the tournament’s early surprises, beating Nigeria 3-2 on July 28.
Temwa Chawinga scored twice and her sister Tabitha also found the net as Malawi held off a late Nigerian comeback. The result gave the debutants an immediate statement victory over the continent’s most successful team.
Malawi then defeated Egypt (3-1) before losing to Zambia (1-2) in their final Group C match. The results were enough to send the Scorchers through to the knockout stage.
The quarter-finals brought another major test, this time against Ghana.
Malawi fell behind early but fought back to win 2-1, with Temwa Chawinga equalizing before Rose Kadzere scored the winner late in the match. The victory sent Malawi into the semi-finals and secured their first-ever qualification for the Women’s World Cup.
But Malawi were not ready to settle for that and continued to dream, taking their growing confidence into their next challenge against Algeria, with a place in the final at stake.
That confidence was rewarded on Wednesday, August 12, as Malawi produced another impressive performance to beat Algeria 3-1 at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat and book their place in Sunday’s final. The Chawinga sisters once again played a central role in Malawi’s attacking threat, with Tabitha scoring twice to help send her side into the title decider.
The result completed a remarkable progression. Malawi had gone from first-time participants to a team capable of eliminating some of Africa’s established sides and competing for the continent’s biggest prize.
Their route to the final has included victories over Nigeria, Egypt and Ghana, followed by a semi-final win over Algeria, with Zambia the only team to defeat them in the group stage.
Now only Cameroon stand between Malawi and the trophy.
The Indomitable Lionesses advanced to the final by defeating the Moroccan national team in a penalty shootout after the match ended in a 0-0 draw.
For Malawi, reaching the final has already transformed their first WAFCON appearance into a landmark campaign. But after overcoming three major tests in the knockout stages, the Scorchers now have the opportunity to go one step further.
One victory against Cameroon would turn an extraordinary debut into Malawi’s first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
