Egypt’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign ends after Malawi loss

Egypt have been eliminated from the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a second successive Group C defeat, losing 3-1 to Malawi on Saturday.

The result leaves Egypt without a point at the bottom of the section, following their opening 6-0 defeat by Zambia. Malawi, meanwhile, moved to six points and top spot, putting themselves on the brink of a place in the quarter-finals.

Malawi will complete their group campaign against Zambia, while Egypt face defending champions Nigeria in their final match. The tournament is currently being held in Morocco.

Egypt created the first clear opportunity in the 16th minute when Christina Salama sent a shot narrowly wide of the Malawi goal. Malawi responded through Faith Chinzenzimo, who ran in behind the Egyptian defence, but the goalkeeper came off her line at the right moment to stop the attack.

Malawi continued to grow into the match and came close when Chawinga struck a powerful effort that Egypt’s goalkeeper pushed behind for a corner.

Chawinga then played a decisive role in the opening goal after 35 minutes. She delivered a precise pass to Rose Kadziri, who finished from close range to give Malawi the lead.

The hosts doubled their advantage before half-time. Chinzenzimo reacted quickest after the goalkeeper had saved her initial header, firing the loose ball directly into the net.

Egypt returned for the second half with greater determination and were handed another boost when Malawi were reduced to 10 players. Rose Alufandika was shown a red card for bringing down Habiba Hafez as the Egypt forward advanced towards goal.

Despite being a player down, Malawi remained dangerous on the counter-attack. They extended their lead in the 68th minute when Kadziri turned provider, sending a clever pass through to Chawinga, who lifted a header over the advancing goalkeeper and into the net.

Egypt responded almost immediately. Substitute Eman Qassem made an instant impact, heading home with a well-controlled finish to reduce the deficit.

The Egyptian players pressed for a second goal to bring themselves back into the contest, but Malawi’s organised defence resisted their efforts. Chawinga continued to pose a threat whenever Malawi broke forward, maintaining pressure on an Egypt side that struggled to turn possession into further goals.

Malawi’s victory leaves them very close to reaching the last eight, although their qualification position will be settled by the remaining group-stage results. Their final game against Zambia will be crucial, while Egypt must now prepare for a difficult meeting with Nigeria, the defending champions.

The defeat means Egypt’s hopes of progressing from Group C have ended after conceding nine goals across their first two matches and scoring only once.