Malawi’s Scorchers will face Ghana’s Black Queens this Sunday in Rabat for a place in the semifinals of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026.
The match carries huge significance, with the winner securing automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while also moving one step closer to a first-ever WAFCON title.
Making their debut at the tournament, Malawi have been one of the biggest revelations. The Scorchers stunned reigning champions Nigeria 3-2 before defeating Egypt 3-1 to finish top of Group C.
Ghana, bronze medalists at the previous WAFCON, have had a tougher route but remain determined to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2007.
Much of the focus will be on Malawi’s dangerous Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa. Their pace, power and attacking intelligence have played a major role in Malawi’s historic campaign.
Ghana coach Kim Lars Björkgren knows his side must find the right balance between containing the sisters and maintaining their attacking threat. Goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan Findib has also stressed the importance of defensive communication and sticking to the game plan.
Malawi coach Lovemore Fazili insists his team will continue taking things one match at a time, while captain Tabitha Chawinga knows the opportunity to qualify for the World Cup could be historic for the country.
With Ghana boasting a strong defence and Malawi possessing dangerous attacking firepower, the quarterfinal promises to be a tactical and physical battle where small mistakes could decide the outcome.
Stat of the day: Ghana have won eight of their previous nine WAFCON meetings against debutants, with their only defeat coming against Nigeria in the 1998 final.
