Malawi, Cameroon Set Up Surprise WAFCON Final
Malawi and Cameroon will meet in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final after both sides secured impressive wins in their semi-finals in Rabat on Wednesday.
Malawi made history by beating Algeria 3-1, while Cameroon defeated hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties after a goalless draw over 120 minutes.
The final will be played on Sunday, with Malawi aiming to complete one of the biggest surprises in the history of the competition, while Cameroon will be chasing a fifth WAFCON title.
Chawinga Sisters Lead Malawi Into Historic Final
Malawi reached their first-ever WAFCON final after beating Algeria 3-1 at the Olympic Stadium.
The Chawinga sisters were once again the stars for the Scorchers, with Tabitha Chawinga scoring twice and Temwa Chawinga adding the other goal.
The match, which was officiated by Nigerian referee Yemisi Akintoye, saw both teams finish the first half with 10 players.
Algeria’s Morgane Belkhiter was sent off in the 23rd minute after a VAR review for denying Tabitha a clear goalscoring chance.
Malawi took advantage of their extra player 10 minutes later when Tabitha scored a stunning overhead kick to put her side ahead.
Temwa doubled Malawi’s lead in first-half stoppage time.
However, Malawi were also reduced to 10 players shortly before half-time when Rose Kadzere was sent off following another VAR review for a high challenge.
Algeria pulled a goal back through Ikram Adjabi in the 60th minute and looked to be pushing for an equaliser.
But Tabitha ended their hopes in the 76th minute when she scored again to make it 3-1.
The victory completed a remarkable run for Malawi, who have now knocked out Nigeria, Ghana and Algeria on their way to the final.
Temwa’s goal took her tournament tally to four, while her four goals and two assists give her six goal involvements.
For Algeria, the defeat ended a historic tournament in which they reached their first WAFCON semi-final and secured qualification for their first FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Cameroon Break Moroccan Hearts
Cameroon booked the second final place after beating hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time.
Morocco had a huge chance to win the match late in extra time when they were awarded a penalty in the 118th minute.
Fatima Tagnaout stepped up but failed to convert, sending the match into a shootout.
Morocco scored only one of their four penalties, with Hanane Aït El Haj finding the net.
Kenza Chapelle, Maryame Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui all missed their attempts.
Cameroon converted three of their four penalties through Marie Ngah, Rose Bella and Myriam Nyadjou, while Grace Mendoua missed the other.
The win sends Cameroon into their fourth WAFCON final.
The Indomitable Lionesses had already produced a major result in the quarter-finals by beating defending champions Nigeria 1-0.
Morocco enjoyed strong support from their home fans and tried to control the game through possession and attacks from the wings.
Cameroon, however, remained organised and defended well to keep the hosts from creating clear chances.
Morocco increased the pressure after half-time, but Cameroon held firm and forced the match into extra time before winning the shootout.
The defeat ends Morocco’s hopes of reaching a third straight WAFCON final and winning the title on home soil.
It also ended Cameroon’s difficult record in WAFCON penalty shootouts. They had lost their previous three shootouts in the competition, including a semi-final defeat by Nigeria in 2018.
Malawi and Cameroon Face Off in Final
Sunday’s final will bring together two teams with very different journeys.
Malawi, playing at the WAFCON finals for the first time, have shocked three strong teams to reach the final, with the Chawinga sisters leading the way.
Cameroon have relied on experience and strong defending, knocking out Nigeria before overcoming hosts Morocco.
One of the two sides will lift the African women’s football crown on Sunday.
