Chawinga Sisters Propel Malawi to Historic Wafcon Final

Malawi’s remarkable run at the expanded 16-team Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco underscores the growing potential of women’s football across the continent, moving beyond the sport’s traditional strongholds. Excluding the 1998 inaugural edition, the Flames became the first debutant nation to reach the final, having already secured qualification for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil through their semi‑final surge.

The narrative was fueled by the Chawinga sisters, whose individual exploits have drawn global attention. Tabitha Chawinga helped OL Lyon capture another French league title last season, while Temwa Chawinga claimed a second golden boot and most valuable player award with NWSL side Kansas City Current. Their impact has been immediate and decisive: between them, the sisters accounted for eight of Malawi’s twelve goals at the tournament, combining blistering pace, physical power, and positional intelligence that opposition defences have found difficult to contain.

The opening goal of the semi‑final will long be remembered. After Asimenye Simwaka—who merely weeks earlier was competing in the 200m and 400m semi‑finals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow—headed a corner into the penalty area, Tabitha Chawinga turned with her back to goal and executed a clever left‑footed overhead kick that beat Algeria’s Chloe N’Gazi but struck the crossbar. N’Gazi twisted to avoid contact, and the ball’s backspin caused it to drop perfectly into the net.

A contentious moment midway through the first half saw Algeria’s Belkhiter dismissed for a challenge on Tabitha Chawinga, replays showing contact on the back of the heel. Though the decision appeared harsh, Malawi capitalised on the numerical advantage when Temwa Chawinga rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home to make it 2‑0. However, moments later, Kadzere was shown her own red card after catching Marine Dafeur above the ankle inside the Algeria penalty area—a needless challenge that gifted the North Africans a lifeline.

Algeria pulled a goal back just after the hour mark, courtesy of Adjabi, who fired volley across goal following a deep free‑kick that Malawi’s defence mismanaged. Both sides looked fatigued before Tabitha Chawinga sealed the contest late, driving into the penalty area unchallenged and side‑footing home from just outside the six‑yard box for her second goal of the match.

Ranked 153rd in the world, Malawi have taken the tournament by storm, and with the Chawinga sisters in scintillating form, the Flames head into the final confident that anyone is beatable on their day.

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