Malawi completed one of the greatest stories in the history of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), defeating Ghana 2-1 to secure a historic place in the semi-finals and qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
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. 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 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.
Malawi continued to threaten on the counterattack through the pace and movement of the Chawinga sisters and 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.
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 Women’s AFCON, while simultaneously booking one of Africa’s four automatic places at next year’s 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.
However, the Black Queens remain in contention for a World Cup place and will now face Côte d’Ivoire in the African play-off, with the winner advancing to the FIFA Women’s World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
