Chawinga sisters fire Malawi into maiden Women’s AFCON final

Malawi’s Scorchers have reached the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after beating Algeria 3-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final.

The landmark victory prompted praise from Malawi’s First Lady, Getrude Mutharika, who described the result as far more significant than an ordinary win.

“Tonight, it is not only a victory against Algeria; it is a historic story,” she wrote on social media after the match.

Malawi are competing in the tournament for the first time and have now gone one step further than any previous appearance could have promised. Their success against Algeria secured the Scorchers a place in the final of the continental competition, completing a remarkable run to the title match.

The Chawinga sisters played a decisive role in the semi-final. Tabitha Chawinga scored twice, while Temwa Chawinga also found the net as Malawi overcame Algeria 3-1.

Their goals ultimately settled a match that included several twists and turns, allowing the Scorchers to claim victory and move within one game of the trophy.

Mutharika said the players were now just 90 minutes away from achieving the biggest prize in African women’s football.

“Only 90 minutes separate us from obtaining the ultimate prize in African women’s football,” she added, urging the team to complete its historic campaign by winning the final.

Malawi’s opponents in the title match will be decided by the second semi-final, in which Morocco face Cameroon. The winner of that fixture will meet the Scorchers in the final.

For now, the focus in Malawi is on a national team that has already made history by reaching the final at its first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The 3-1 victory over Algeria means the Scorchers have turned their debut campaign into a challenge for the competition’s ultimate honour.

The contribution of Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga has been central to that achievement, with the sisters providing the goals that carried Malawi beyond Algeria and into the decisive match of the tournament.

Mutharika’s response reflected the scale of the occasion, as she celebrated a result that has given the Scorchers the opportunity to win the biggest prize available in African women’s football. The team now stands one match away from completing what would be a historic title-winning campaign.