Malawi’s Cinderella story at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations continued on Wednesday as they stormed the final after edging Algeria.
In the first semifinal, the Scorchers secured a 3-1 win over Algeria. The game saw both teams ennd with ten players on the pitch, following the sending off of Algeria’s Morgane Belkhiter early on before Malawi’s Rose Kadzere was also shown red towards the end of the first half.
The Chawinga sisters once again were influential, to help Malawi win 3-1 and progress to the final on their first ever WAFCON appearance.
Captain Tabitha Chawinga got the opener in the 33rd minute with her effort ricocheting off the crossbar before heading into the back of the net.
Her sister Temwa Chawinga doubled Malawi’s advantage shortly before the break, rounding off the goalkeeper before scoring into an empty net.
At the hour mark, Algeria reduced the deficit through Ikram Adjabi who reacted quickest to slot home but Malawi we able to restore the two-goal cushion moments later through skipper Tabitha Chawinga with her second of the day.
Malawi will now await for the winner between hosts Morocco and Cameroon who face off in the other semifinal.
