Malawi Beats Algeria 3-1 To Reach WAFCON Final

Malawi reached their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final after defeating Algeria 3-1 in Rabat on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

Chawinga Sisters Drive Malawi Past Algeria in Rabat

The lowest-ranked side in Morocco has continued an extraordinary tournament run by overcoming Algeria 3-1 at the Olympic Stadium, as sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga combined for all three goals to seal the victory. Ranked 153rd in the world, debutants Malawi capitalized on an early red card issued to Algeria defender Morgane Belkhiter for a foul on the game’s last defender following a video assistant referee review, according to reporting from France 24.

Malawi captain Tabitha Chawinga opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a left-footed overhead kick that hit the crossbar before crossing the line. Just one minute into first-half stoppage time, younger sister Temwa Chawinga rounded goalkeeper Chloe N’Gazi to double the lead.

The numerical advantage did not last. Malawi midfielder Rose Kadzere received a red card just before halftime for a studs-up challenge above the ankle of Marine Dafeur inside the penalty area, leaving both teams with 10 players for the second half. Algeria halved the deficit on 60 minutes when Ikram Adjabi scored on a volley after Malawi defenders failed to clear a deep free-kick from Dafeur. However, Tabitha Chawinga restored the two-goal cushion in the 76th minute with an unchallenged solo run into the penalty area, driving a side-foot shot past the goalkeeper.

A Historic World Cup Qualification and Tournament Journey

By reaching the semi-finals, Malawi, Algeria, Morocco, and Cameroon have qualified for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. This marks only the second time a national team from Malawi across senior and youth men’s and women’s football has reached a FIFA World Cup, following the men’s Under-17 side’s appearance at the 2009 tournament, according to historical records compiled by CAF.

MATCH STATS: Malawi face Algeria in TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Morocco 2026 semi-final — Photo: cafonline.com

Malawi’s path to the final includes victories over established continental powers. They are the first tournament debutants to reach the final since Zimbabwe in 2000, excluding the inaugural 1998 edition. Their campaign features high-scoring matches, having tallied nine goals while conceding six across their tournament fixtures. Temwa Chawinga, who plays for Kansas City Current in the NWSL, enters the final stage with five goals, sharing the tournament lead. Tabitha Chawinga, representing French club Lyon, has contributed three goals to the campaign.

The Chasing Field and Sunday’s Record Decider

Malawi will face Cameroon in the championship match on Sunday, August 15, 2026. Cameroon advanced to the final after defeating hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties following a scoreless draw through extra time. Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina secured the victory for Cameroon by saving a late penalty in extra time before blocking three consecutive spot-kicks in the shootout.

Malawi striker Tabitha Chawinga runs towards the touchline with arms spread wide to either side of her body to celebrate a — Photo: BBC

Meanwhile, Algeria will contest the third-place play-off against Morocco on Saturday, August 14, 2026. None of the four remaining tournament participants have previously won the competition, guaranteeing a first-time champion for the second consecutive edition following South Africa’s maiden title in 2022 and Nigeria’s victory in 2024.