Malawi have completed one of the most remarkable stories in the history of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Ghana 2-1 in the quarter-finals to reach the semi-finals and secure qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
The Scorchers, competing at their first-ever WAFCON, continued their extraordinary debut campaign with another historic victory, having already stunned defending champions Nigeria and defeated Egypt during the group stage.
The achievement is even more remarkable considering Malawi entered the tournament ranked 153rd in the world.
Ghana made the brighter start to the quarter-final and took the lead in the seventh minute through Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah. The forward reacted quickest to a rebound inside the Malawi penalty area before firing the loose ball into the net.
Malawi responded almost immediately.
Five minutes later, Temwa Chawinga restored parity with a long-range effort that took a deflection on its way to goal, leaving Ghana goalkeeper Konlan with little chance.
The equaliser sparked a fiercely contested encounter, with both teams battling for control and knowing that a place in the WAFCON semi-finals would also guarantee a historic World Cup qualification.
Ghana thought they had regained the lead early in the second half when Doris Boaduwaa found the net, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review.
The Black Queens continued to push forward, introducing fresh attacking options as they searched for another breakthrough, but Malawi remained disciplined at the back.
The Scorchers eventually delivered the decisive blow in the 79th minute.
Rose Kadzere found space inside the Ghana penalty area and produced a composed finish to put Malawi 2-1 ahead.
Ghana pushed forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser that would have forced extra time, but Malawi defended resolutely to protect their advantage until the final whistle.
The victory sends Malawi into their first-ever WAFCON semi-final and, more importantly, guarantees the Scorchers a place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
It is a historic achievement for Malawian football, with the team completing a remarkable journey from WAFCON debutants to World Cup qualifiers in the space of one tournament.
Malawi had already secured their place at the 2026 WAFCON after defeating Angola 2-0 on aggregate in the qualifiers. Faith Chinzimu was the hero on that occasion, scoring a quick-fire brace at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe to seal qualification.
Now, the Scorchers have gone even further.
Their victories over some of Africa’s established footballing nations have transformed Malawi into one of the biggest stories of the tournament and announced the country as an emerging force in African women’s football.
For Ghana, the defeat ends their hopes of reaching the WAFCON semi-finals, but their World Cup dream remains alive. The Black Queens will enter the African play-offs, where they will face Côte d’Ivoire for another opportunity to remain in contention for Brazil 2027.
For Malawi, however, the celebrations can begin.
The Scorchers have made history, secured their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification and will now turn their attention to the WAFCON semi-finals, with their remarkable dream still alive.
