* To represent the COSAFA after Zambia were eliminated from the WAfCON 2026 courtesy of the Scorchers
* While South Africa — who got knocked out by Morocco — will play in the qualifiers for the other two slots
* Available on Thursday against Nigeria, who were ousted from the quarterfinals by Cameroon
By Duncan Mlanjira
Malawi Scorchers continue there fairly tale debut appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) Morocco 2026 by beating highly-fancied Ghana 2-1 to march into the semifinals and a place into the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
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After trailing from a 6th minute goal from Ghana, Temwa Chawinga equalised in the 10th minute as the Scorchers took control of the proceedings to rest the score at 1-1 for the half time break.
They returned to the pitch with a purpose and were on top of the game Malawi leading to France-based Rose Kabzere to finish off a lovely pass from Temwa Chawinga to give Malawi the lead in the 78th minute.
The feat means the Scorchers will represent the COSAFA at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 after Zambia were eliminated from the WAfCON 2026 courtesy of Malawi.
While South Africa — who got knocked out by Morocco — will play in the qualifiers for the other two slots available on Thursday against Nigeria, who were ousted from the quarterfinals by Cameroon.
In the semifinals on Wednesday, August 12, the Scorchers will face Algeria who beat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 in Saturday’s quarterfinal.
The Scorchers completed one of the greatest stories in the history of the WAfCON by defeating Ghana — making history in their debut appearance.
The dramatic second-half winner from Rose Kadzere capped another unforgettable night for the tournament debutants, whose remarkable run continued after earlier victories over defending champions Nigeria and Egypt in the group stage.
Having topped Group C on their maiden appearance, the Scorchers have now become one of only a handful of debutants to reach the semi-finals of the WAfCON, while simultaneously booking one of Africa’s four automatic places at FIFA Women’s World Cup.
For Ghana, the defeat was a bitter blow to their hopes of returning to the global finals for the first time since 2007.
The quarter-final had been billed as one of the most evenly balanced contests of the tournament. Malawi entered the match full of confidence after an outstanding group-stage campaign, while Ghana hoped their greater experience in knockout football would prove decisive.
The Black Queens made the brighter start. Just seven minutes into the contest, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah finished clinically to hand Ghana an early lead and briefly put Kim Lars Björkegren’s side on course for a return to the last four.
But Malawi’s response was swift and emphatic when five minutes later, captain and star forward Temwa Chawinga once again demonstrated why she is regarded as one of Africa’s finest attackers, drawing the Scorchers level in the 12th minute to ignite celebrations among the Malawian supporters.
The equaliser transformed the contest into an open and fiercely competitive encounter, with both teams creating opportunities while remaining aware that a place in the semi-finals—and the World Cup—was at stake.
The second half continued at a relentless pace. Ghana believed they had regained the lead shortly after the restart when Doris Boaduwaa found the net, only for the effort to be ruled out following a VAR review.
It proved to be one of the defining moments of the match and despite introducing fresh attacking options, including Princella Adubea, Wasila Mohammed and Princess Marfo, Ghana struggled to break down a disciplined Malawi defence.
The Scorchers, meanwhile, continued to threaten on the counterattack through the pace and movement of the Chawinga sisters.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 79th minute — Rose Kadzere found space inside the penalty area before producing a composed finish beyond the Ghana goalkeeper to put Malawi ahead for the first time and move the tournament debutants within touching distance of history.
Ghana threw numbers forward during the closing stages in search of an equaliser that would force extra time, but Malawi defended resolutely to protect their advantage until the final whistle.
Historic achievement for Malawi
The victory marks another extraordinary milestone for Malawi’s women’s national team.
Competing at their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the Scorchers have exceeded every expectation by reaching the semi-finals and becoming one of Africa’s representatives at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
Coach Lovemore Fazili had insisted before kick-off that his side would continue taking the tournament “one step at a time,” while captain Tabitha Chawinga spoke of the historic significance qualification would have for women’s football in Malawi.
Their belief has now become reality. After defeating some of Africa’s most established nations, Malawi have announced themselves as one of the continent’s newest footballing powers.
Sunday belonged entirely to the Scorchers — from tournament debutants to World Cup qualifiers in the space of two remarkable weeks, they have produced one of the most memorable stories in Women’s AFCON history and will now continue their dream run in the semi-finals with a place among the continent’s elite already secured.—Additional reporting by CAFonline
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
AdvertisementQuarterfinals
Côte d’Ivoire 1-2 Algeria
Morocco 2-1 South Africa
Cameroon 1-0 Nigeria
Malawi 2-1 Ghana
Semifinals
Wednesday, 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)
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