Scorchers into historic WAfCON final

* After 3-1 victory against Algeria as they continue their fairytale run on their debut and will now compete for the continental crown

CAFonline

Malawi’s remarkable debut campaign at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) Morocco 2026 continued on Wednesday evening as the Scorchers defeated Algeria 3-1 to secure a historic place in the final.

The Chawinga sisters once again proved decisive as Tabitha and Temwa combined for all three goals to send Malawi into their first-ever WAfCON final.

Algeria’s task became significantly more difficult early in the first half when Morgane Belkhiter was shown a red card, reducing the North Africans to ten players.

Despite Algeria’s resilience, Malawi eventually found the breakthrough in the 33rd minute through Tabitha Chawinga when the captain produced a moment of brilliance, improvising superbly to direct an acrobatic effort onto the crossbar and into the net for the opening goal.

The Scorchers doubled their advantage moments before the break. Temwa Chawinga showed composure inside the area, rounding the goalkeeper after being played through before calmly slotting into an empty net to give Malawi a commanding 2-0 lead at half-time.

Malawi resumed the second half on the front foot and nearly added a third in the 51st minute. Temwa Chawinga burst past three defenders with her trademark pace but was unable to keep her effort on target.

Algeria responded in the 60th minute to reduce the deficit. A dangerous free-kick from Marine Dafeur caused problems in the Malawi penalty area before Ikram Adjabi reacted quickest to a loose ball and volleyed home to make it 2-1.

With Algeria pushing forward in search of an equaliser, Malawi struck a decisive blow through Tabitha Chawinga.

The forward beat her marker before driving a left-footed effort into the net to complete her brace and restore her side’s two-goal cushion.

Algeria continued to battle and almost found a way back into the contest in the 87th minute when substitute Laura Muller rounded the goalkeeper.

However, a delayed finish allowed recovering defenders to get back and prevent what looked a certain goal.

Both sides continued to exchange attacks in the closing stages, but disciplined defending ensured no further goals were added.

The final whistle confirmed a 3-1 victory for Malawi, who continue their fairytale run on debut and will now compete for the continental crown in their first-ever WAfCON final.

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

Algeria 1-3 Malawi

Playing Morocco v Nigeria (22h00)

World Cup 2027 play-off matches

Tomorrow, 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)