Tournament outsiders Malawi have reached the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final for the first time after defeating Algeria 3-1 in their semi-final clash in Rabat on Wednesday.
The Chawinga sisters were at the heart of Malawi’s historic victory, with Tabitha scoring twice and Temwa adding the other as the debutants continued their remarkable run at the tournament.
Ranked 153rd in the world, Malawi entered the competition 116 places below pre-tournament favourites and record 10-time champions Nigeria, who were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Malawi capitalised on Algeria being reduced to 10 players midway through the first half after Morgane Belkhiter was shown a red card for a last-defender foul.
Captain Tabitha Chawinga opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with an overhead kick following a corner before Temwa doubled Malawi’s advantage in first-half stoppage time, rounding goalkeeper Chloe N’Gazi before finding the net.
Malawi were also reduced to 10 players shortly before the interval when Rose Kadzere was sent off for a studs-up tackle.
Algeria fought back after the restart and reduced the deficit in the 60th minute through Ikram Adjabi.
However, Tabitha restored Malawi’s two-goal advantage in the 76th minute with a superb solo effort to put the result beyond Algeria.
Temwa, who plays for Kansas City, has now scored five goals at the tournament, while Tabitha, who represents French club Lyon, has four.
Algeria were unable to find another response after conceding the third goal and will now contest the third-place play-off on Saturday.
Malawi will face either hosts Morocco or Cameroon in Sunday’s final, with the winners set to claim a record $2 million prize.
Malawi, Algeria, Morocco and Cameroon have also secured qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil by reaching the WAFCON semi-finals.
