Omanghana
Malawi’s historic debut at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations continued on Wednesday as the Scorchers defeated Algeria 3-1 to qualify for their first-ever final.
The high-intensity semi-final in Rabat, Morocco, saw both teams reduced to 10 players during a dramatic first half. Malawi ultimately prevailed through the attacking quality of sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, who scored all three of their team’s goals.
The match changed when Algeria defender Morgane Belkhiter was shown a red card for denying Malawi captain Tabitha Chawinga a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Any numerical advantage Malawi expected to enjoy did not last long. The Scorchers also had a player dismissed approximately 20 minutes later, leaving both teams to complete the contest with 10 players.
Tabitha broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute with an acrobatic finish that struck the crossbar before crossing the line.
Temwa doubled Malawi’s advantage shortly before halftime. She raced onto a through-ball, rounded the Algerian goalkeeper and calmly placed her effort into the empty net.
Algeria responded in the 60th minute when Ikram Adjabi volleyed home a loose ball following a dangerous free-kick. The goal briefly revived hopes of a comeback.
However, Tabitha scored again to restore Malawi’s two-goal advantage. The captain beat her marker before driving a left-footed shot into the net to complete the 3-1 victory.
The result sends Malawi into the WAFCON final for the first time in the country’s history. Their achievement is particularly remarkable because the 2026 tournament is the Scorchers’ maiden appearance at the continental championship.
Malawi had already made history by defeating Ghana in the quarter-finals, a victory that secured the team’s qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Despite entering the closing stages of the competition as the lowest-ranked remaining team, the Scorchers have emerged as one of the tournament’s standout sides.
Their qualification for the final gives Malawi an opportunity to complete an extraordinary debut campaign by winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
Source: Omanghana
