* Egypt next on Saturday, who were thrashed 6-0 by Zambia, and despite being a one-sided affair, the Cleopatras could also replicate what the Scorchers did to the Super Falcons
By Duncan Mlanjira
After Malawi Scorchers completely outclassed heavy Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON), the Super Falcons of Nigeria on Tuesday night, coach Lovemore Fazili refuses to sit back and bask in the limelight the team has achieved.
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He thus encourages his charges that they must remain focused as they still have two group matches to play — against Egypt on Saturday before winding up Group C against COSAFA rivals Zambia on Wednesday, August 5.
Malawi produced a historic performance to beat defending champions Nigeria 3-2 in a dramatic WAfCON Morocco 2026 match at Al Madina Stadium — which even the Super Falcons coach Justin Madungu confessed that the Scorchers “played well and they got the result they worked hard for”.
A brace from Temwa Chawinga and a goal from captain Tabitha Chawinga gave Malawi a memorable victory in their maiden appearance at the continental showpiece.
Temwa voted Player of the Match
Fazili praised his players for a brave and disciplined performance, saying: “The game was very good, an excellent game for that matter,” as quoted by FAM Media.
“The players played very well. They put in everything and showed that they are capable of delivering. I am very happy with the performance.
“They did not underrate themselves because they knew there was something they had to show to Malawians.
The coach also hailed the impact of Temwa and Tabitha, saying their presence gave Malawi the cutting edge in attack: “They utilised the chances… it is very important that these two sisters are in the team most of the time, together with the other players, so that we can continue doing well”.
He added that the team had worked hard on finishing after the friendly matches against Morocco and Ghana, which they lost 1-2 and 0-4 respectively.
“After playing the two friendly matches against Morocco and Ghana, we went back to the drawing board and mainly focused on finishing. We did a lot of finishing and reminded the players.
“So the performance today and the scoring makes us happy. Even the players are happy with what they have shown today.”
As the Scorchers shift their focus to their next game on Saturday, against Egypt — who were thrashed 6-0 by Zambia — they need to realise that despite their match was was a one-sided affair, the Cleopatras could also replicate what the Scorchers did to the Super Falcons.
The Zambians, led by their captain Barbra Banda were relentless in their attacks and Egypt caved in after conceding two consecutive penalties.
Slippery Barbra Banda
However, if not treaded carefully, they can pose quite a good challenge.
Online publication, Shriver Football indicates that the main players to watch out for the Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat are “attacking midfielder Nadine Ghazi; attacking winger Sarah Essam; and creative forward Menna Tarek”.
Nadine Ghazi is reported to possess “a clinical striker’s instinct, and she famously scored a super hat-trick (four goals) against Sudan and a brace against Tunisia during the 2021 Arab Women’s Cup”.
“Being a creative playmaker, she utilises exceptional vision and passing range to unlock defenses and set up teammates, serving as the central hub for transitional play.
“Her ability to fluidly transition between leading the front line, dictating pace from the number 10 role — or driving down the flanks — makes her difficult to mark.”
Nadine Ghazi
On Essam, Shriver Football describes the winger-forward as “the primary finishing threat”, who is known “for her relentless work rate, who became the first Egyptian female footballer to play in England and Spain”.
She also reported that she “constantly presses opposition defenders to force mistakes high up the pitch and capable of operating seamlessly as a centre-forward, creative playmaker, or driving down the wings to stretch defenses”.
“Celebrated for her mental strength and tactical composure, Essam frequently scores decisive goals under high-pressure scenarios.”
Sarah Essam (left)
Menna Tarek is touted to be “gifted with immense composure in front of goal” and that she can “reliably finish with both power and placement”.
“She thrives in tight spaces, using quick footwork developed from playing street football in her youth to beat defenders one-on-one.
“While primarily a forward, her vision and passing range allow her to drop deeper into the midfield to act as a playmaker and orchestrate play,” analyses Shriver Football.
While the Scorchers ably contained the best Super Falcons stars — such as captain and leading figure, Rasheedat Ajibade, who was named Best Player of the last WAfCON — every game changes and so can against Egypt.
Results and 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 stages
Group A
Algeria 2-0 Senegal
Morocco 4-0 Kenya
Thursday, July 30
Senegal v Kenya (19h00)
Morocco v Algeria (22h00)
Monday, August 3
Senegal Morocco (22h00)
Kenya v Algeria (22h00)
Group B
South Africa 1-2 Tanzania
Côte d’Ivoire 4-1 Burkina Faso
Friday, July 31
South Africa v Côte d’Ivoire (19h00)
Burkina Faso v Tanzania (22h00)
Tuesday, August 4
Burkina Faso v South Africa (22h00)
Tanzania v Côte d’Ivoire (22h00)
Group C
Zambia 6-0 Egypt
Nigeria 3-2 Malawi
Saturday, August 1
Egypt v Malawi (19h00)
Nigeria v Zambia (22h00)
Wednesday, August 5
Egypt v Nigeria (22h00)
Malawi v Zambia (22h00)
Group D
Today, July 29
Ghana v Cape Verde (19h00)
Cameroon vs Mali (22h00)
Sunday, August 2
Ghana v Cameroon (19h00)
Mali v Cape Verde (22h00)
Thursday, August 6
Mali v Ghana (22h00)
Cape Verde v Cameroon (22h00)
Quarterfinals
Saturday, August 8
QF 2: Winner Group B v 2nd Place Group A (19h00)
QF 1: Winner Group A v 2nd Place Group B (22h00)
Sunday, August 9
QF 4: Winner Group D v 2nd Place Group C (19h00)
QF 3: Winner Group C v 2nd Place Group D (22h00)
Semifinals
Wednesday, August 12
SF2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3 (19h00)
SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF4 (22h00)
World Cup 2027 play-off matches
Thursday, August 13
Loser QF2 v Loser QF3 (19h00)
Loser QF1 v Loser QF4 (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)
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