Having already toppled 10-time champions Nigeria, there is no telling just how far Malawi Scorchers can go

* This is very much uncharted territory for the two semifinalists, Algeria and Malawi as the Fennecs had been an intermittent fixture of this competition through the years

* Playing in five editions prior to 2024 while, the Scorchers are competing in their first edition of the WAfCON

By Courtney Hill, Olympics.com

Just four teams remain in the hunt for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) Morocco 2026 title, with one football nation set to become just the fourth side to lift this accolade in tournament history.

For the two semifinalists, Algeria and Malawi, this is very much uncharted territory. Algeria had been an intermittent fixture of this competition through the years, playing in five editions prior to 2024.

It was then, in the edition held in 2025, that they advanced for the first time but were subject to a last eight exit.

This time, however, they have taken things one step further by reaching the semi-final. It is history for The Fennecs, who have relied on a real team effort to help them make it to the penultimate knockout round.

Versatile defender-midfielder Marine Dafeur has been pivotal, while Inès Khiri and Amira Ould Braham both showed they can step up in key moments after getting on the scoresheet in their 2-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire last time out.

Malawi are in a similar position, competing in their first edition of the WAfCON. Reaching this stage means a maiden FIFA World Cup next year – the same as their semi-final opponents – along with a real shot at a major title.

Sister duo Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga have been instrumental throughout, both scoring at crucial stages of the competition.

The latter is one goal away from leading the Golden Boot race, having already registered six goal involvements in Morocco.

Having already toppled 10-time champions Nigeria in the group stages, there is no telling just how far Malawi can go.

As for Morocco, the hosts are back on familiar ground and back in a familiar phase of competition. For the third tournament in a row, the Atlas Lionesses have reached the final four and are on the brink of yet another final appearance.

There is added incentive for this side, not only are they on home soil but they have twice been on the losing end of the final and – as the highest ranked side left in the competition – may well fancy their chances of putting an end to this supposed curse. 

Hanane Aït El Haj was on the scoresheet as Morocco saw off South Africa in the last eight, making that five goal involvements for the defender, having already provided four assists. 

Between 2002 and 2018, Cameroon made every single semi-final at WAfCON. Some years they progressed to the final, others they finished third or fourth — but they were a constant fixture.

The 2022 edition broke the mould, though not in the way they had planned, by exiting at the last eight stage. The following tournament progressed without them, having failed to qualify.

This time around, The Indomitable Lionesses return to familiar surroundings as one of four semi-finalists. 

Marie Ngah Manga has been their standout player across four games, bagging three goals, and will be crucial if they are to break down the best defence of the tournament so far.—Editing by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express

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)