Chawinga sisters, Zambia’s Barbra Banda, the WAfCON highlighted in SuperSport’s ‘Here for Her’ Women’s Month

* SuperSport’s Women’s Month celebrates the extraordinary women who continue to shape, challenge and redefine the world of sport

* From African athletes making history on the global stage to the exceptional women bringing the biggest sporting moments to life, SuperSport is putting women at the heart of the story

* WAfCON 2025 debutants Malawi stunned ten-time champions Nigeria 3-2 in one of the tournament’s biggest shocks

* With sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga at the centre of a historic victory that announced Malawi as a force to be taken seriously

By Duncan Mlanjira

Nowhere is the growth, power and potential of women’s sport more visible right now than at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) in Morocco, says SuperSport when highlighting its ongoing ‘Here for Her’ Women’s Month.

The campaign, that rolled out last month to end on August 16, celebrates the extraordinary women who continue to shape, challenge and redefine the world of sport.

“From African athletes making history on the global stage to the exceptional women bringing the biggest sporting moments to life, SuperSport is putting women at the heart of the story.

“The expanded 16-team WAfCON has already delivered drama, upsets and performances that have captured the imagination of the continent.

“Tournament debutants Malawi stunned 12-time champions Nigeria 3-2 in one of the tournament’s biggest shocks, with sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga at the centre of a historic victory that announced Malawi as a force to be taken seriously. 

“Zambia’s Barbra Banda also made an immediate statement, scoring four goals in Zambia’s emphatic 6-0 opening victory over Egypt.

“And for South Africa, Thembi Kgatlana once again showed her big-game credentials, helping Banyana Banyana navigate a demanding group stage and continue their title defence.”

The Malawi Scorchers face Algeria tomorrow (19h00), meeting for the first time ever and coach Lovemore Fazili told Kenya’s The Nation that his charges understand the importance of where they stand — a title shot having already qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 after qualifying for reaching the semifinals.

“My players are aware of what awaits us. Everyone back home is happy and looking forward to us achieving something else for them.”

He is further quoted as saying he expects Algeria to be hard to beat, but believes that the Scorchers have the experience to cope with a defensive opponent, having already overcome some of Africa’s strongest sides — Nigeria, Zambia and Ghana.

“They are a defensive team, but we will handled them in the same way that we handled the big teams such as Nigeria and Zambia,” he is quoted as saying.

“The Chawinga sisters are stars, but the team comprises many players. You never know who will make the difference. We have prepared all the players and given them the confidence to deliver when they get the opportunity.”

Fazili told The Nation that his side will approach the game with belief rather than fear: “We are taking this game seriously— we are not underdogs.

“We are going to fight for a positive result. We won’t underestimate Algeria, but we are going to fight until the end.”

Group stage results, standings and knockout stage fixtures (kick-off times CAT beamed live on SuperSport live on DStv Channel 225 (https://dstv.stream) and on GOtv Channel 61 (https://gotv.stream):

Group A

Algeria 2-0 Senegal 

Morocco 4-0 Kenya 

Senegal 1-0 Kenya

Morocco 1-0 Algeria

Senegal 0-0 Morocco 

Kenya 0-2 Algeria

Group B

South Africa 1-2 Tanzania 

Côte d’Ivoire 4-1 Burkina Faso 

South Africa 2-2 Côte d’Ivoire 

Burkina Faso 2-1 Tanzania

Burkina Faso 0-1 South Africa

Tanzania 1-2 Côte d’Ivoire 

Group C

Zambia 6-0 Egypt

Nigeria 3-2 Malawi

Egypt 1-3 Malawi

Nigeria 1-9 Zambia

Egypt 2-6 Nigeria

Malawi 1-2 Zambia

Group D

Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde

Cameroon 2-1 Mali

Ghana 0-1 Cameroon

Mali 3-2 Cape Verde 

Mali 1-1 Ghana 

Cape Verde 1-1 Cameroon 

Quarterfinals

Côte d’Ivoire 1-2 Algeria 

Morocco 2-1 South Africa 

Cameroon 1-0 Nigeria 

Malawi 2-1 Ghana

Semifinals

Tomorrow, August 12

Morocco v Nigeria (19h00)

Algeria v Malawi (22h00)

World Cup 2027 play-off matches

Thursday, August 13

South Africa v Nigeria (19h00)

Côte d’Ivoire v Ghana (22h00)

Third place play-off

Saturday, August 15

Loser SF1 v Loser SF2 (19h00)

WAfCON 2026 final

Sunday, August 16

Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 (Moulay Hassan Stadium or Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, (21h00)