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WAFCON debutants Malawi have produced one of the biggest shocks of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, defeating Algeria 3-1 in the semi-final in Rabat to reach the final for the first time in their history. The Scorchers continued their remarkable debut campaign with another outstanding performance, overcoming a determined Algerian side despite being reduced to 10 players before half-time. Malawi had already made history by reaching the semi-finals and securing their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification, but their latest victory has taken their fairytale run another step further.
The Chawinga sisters once again proved decisive for Malawi. Captain Tabitha Chawinga opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with an impressive overhead kick following a corner, before her sister Temwa Chawinga doubled the advantage shortly after the break. Algeria pulled one goal back through Ikram Adjabi in the 60th minute, giving the North Africans hope of a comeback, but Tabitha restored Malawi’s two-goal cushion in the 76th minute with a superb individual effort. Malawi had to defend with 10 players after Rose Kadzere was sent off just before half-time, but they held on to secure a historic victory.
The achievement is unprecedented for Malawi, who are appearing at the WAFCON for the first time and have now reached the final after defeating some of Africa’s established women’s football nations, including Nigeria, Ghana and Algeria. CAF noted before the semi-final that the winner would become the seventh different nation to reach a WAFCON final since the competition adopted its current format in 1998. Malawi have also already qualified for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, marking the country’s first senior World Cup appearance. Their final opponent will be determined by the other semi-final between Morocco and Cameroon, with Malawi now just one victory away from completing one of the most remarkable debut campaigns in African women’s football.
