In a historic match, Malawi's Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, propelled their team to a 3-1 victory over Algeria, securing a spot in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final for the first time. The match, held in Morocco, showcased the sisters' striking prowess, with Tabitha netting two goals and Temwa contributing one.

Match Overview

Malawi's remarkable journey in the tournament continued as they overcame Algeria, a feat that marks a significant milestone in their debut WAFCON appearance. Before this campaign, Malawi was ranked 153rd in the world. They have now become the first African team since South Africa's men's team in 1996 to reach the final of a Nations Cup in their inaugural tournament, and the first since Banyana Banyana in 2021 to make the final in the women's competition.

The match was dynamic, with both teams experiencing a player sent off. Algeria's Morgane Belkhiter received a red card after a VAR review determined she denied a clear goalscoring opportunity by fouling Tabitha Chawinga. Tabitha opened the scoring for Malawi just after the half-hour mark with an impressive overhead kick that hit the crossbar before crossing the line. Temwa then doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time, finishing off a well-placed through ball from Faith Chinzimu.

Second Half Action

Algeria managed to level the playing field when Malawi's Rose Kadzere was sent off just before halftime. In the second half, Algeria's Ikram Adjabi pulled one back with a powerful shot from close range, igniting hopes of a comeback. However, Tabitha Chawinga sealed the victory for Malawi with her second goal of the match, finding the net fourteen minutes from the end.

Malawi's victory not only highlights their impressive performance throughout the tournament but also sets the stage for a final showdown against either Morocco or Cameroon on Sunday in Rabat. The Chawinga sisters have been instrumental in their team's success, with Temwa currently tied for the tournament's top scorer alongside Zambia's Barbra Banda.