**Malawi Shock Algeria and Cameroon Beat Morocco to Reach WAFCON Final**
Malawi has made history by reaching the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a stunning 3-1 victory over Algeria in the semifinals. The match took place on Wednesday, marking a significant achievement for the team, which is ranked No. 153 in the world and participating in the WAFCON tournament for the first time. Malawi’s journey has not only secured them a place in the final but also guaranteed their qualification for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The standout performer for Malawi was Tabitha Chawinga, who scored two goals during the match. Her first goal came in the 33rd minute when she struck a powerful shot that hit the crossbar and bounced into the net. Chawinga, who plays for Lyon in France’s top league, has been a key player for Malawi throughout the tournament. Her sister, Temwa Chawinga, also contributed significantly by scoring Malawi's second goal in first-half stoppage time, skillfully maneuvering around the Algerian goalkeeper, Chloe N’Gazi, to find the open net.
The match took a dramatic turn when Algeria’s Morgane Belkhiter was shown a red card in the 23rd minute for a foul on Tabitha Chawinga, reducing Algeria to ten players. Despite being a player down, Algeria managed to pull a goal back in the 60th minute through Ikram Adjabi, but Tabitha Chawinga responded with her second goal in the 76th minute, shooting through the legs of an Algerian defender to restore Malawi's two-goal lead.
In the other semifinal, Cameroon secured their spot in the final after a tense penalty shootout against Morocco. The match ended in a goalless draw after extra time, leading to penalties where Cameroon triumphed 3-1. Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina was instrumental in this victory, saving three penalty attempts from the Moroccan side. Myriam Maéva Nyadjou scored the decisive penalty to send Cameroon through to the final.
Morocco, who dominated possession during the match, had a chance to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty kick after a foul by Nyadjou in the box. However, Bihina's exceptional performance continued as she blocked Fatima Tagnaout's penalty attempt, keeping the match scoreless and setting the stage for the penalty shootout.
The final will see Malawi face Cameroon, a team with a rich history in women’s football, having participated in the World Cup in 2015 and 2019. The upcoming match is not only significant for both teams but also for women’s football in Africa, showcasing the growing competitiveness of the sport on the continent.
All four semifinalists—Malawi, Cameroon, Algeria, and Morocco—have qualified for the Women’s World Cup, marking a historic moment for African women’s football. This will be the first World Cup appearance for both Malawi and Algeria, while Morocco aims for a better performance following their round of 16 exit in 2023. Cameroon, with their experience, will look to make a strong showing once again.
As the final approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be an exciting clash between Malawi and Cameroon, highlighting the potential for upsets and the emergence of new talent in women’s football. The match is set to take place on Sunday, and fans are eager to witness this historic encounter.