Malawi reach first ever WAFCON final after thrilling 3-1 semi-final victory over Algeria

Malawi have reached their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final in their debut at the continental tournament after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Algeria.

The high-octane semi-final was played at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday.

The game was marked by two red cards, one for each side, given about 20 minutes apart in the first half. Algerian full-back Morgane Belkhiter was sent off in the 22nd minute for denying a goal-scoring opportunity to Malawian winger Tabitha Chawinga.

The 30-year-old striker, who plays for OL Lyonnes, later opened the scoring in the match with a sensational quasi-bicycle strike off a corner kick in the 34th minute, putting the Scorchers of Malawi ahead 1-0.

Malawi doubled their lead in the first minute of stoppage time when Temwa Chawinga received a through ball in the penalty box and swerved around Algerian goalkeeper Chloe N’Gazi to score her fifth goal of the tournament, bringing her level with Zambian striker Barbra Banda in the WAFCON Golden Boot race.

Malawi’s first half? Chawinga business. #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2026 pic.twitter.com/VxFw5ZHLh9

— CAF Women Football (@CAFwomen) August 12, 2026

Just before halftime, Malawian midfielder Rose Kadzere made a dangerous challenge that earned her a red card, escalated from an initial yellow, in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

The second half commenced with a restored balance of players, 10-a-side. Algeria took control first, controlling the ball against a nerve-stricken Malawian side and exploiting the wings and drawing fouls that were awarded with set pieces.

In the 60th minute, Algerian forward Ikram Adjabi was gifted a free kick that fell to her in an unmarked position after two failed clearances from Malawian centerbacks and smashed a half-volley past Malawian goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo to narrow the gap.

TO THE FINAL.

Malawi continue to write history. #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2026 finalists. pic.twitter.com/UpK5dxpBvP

— CAF Women Football (@CAFwomen) August 12, 2026

The North African side appeared to tighten their grip on the match, particularly with the quality of Adjabi. Both sides attempted to break each other’s lines with through balls past their respective backlines, and Malawi were first to succeed in the 76th minute when Tabitha Chawinga earned a crucial brace. The Scorchers captain slipped the ball past N’Gazi to give the southern African team a two-goal cushion.

Malawi were ranked 153rd in the world by FIFA entering the tournament, which also serves as 2027 World Cup qualification. They earned direct qualification to the global competition, held in Brazil next year, last weekend after punching their ticket to the semifinals with a victory over Ghana.

Algeria, who also qualified for their first-ever World Cup after beating Ivory Coast, will await their opponent for the third-place match on Saturday, Aug. 15.