Malawi make history with Ghana win to reach Wafcon semi-finals and World Cup

Malawi reached the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) for the first time and secured their place at the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup after beating Ghana 2-1 on Sunday.

Rose Kadzere scored the decisive goal in the 79th minute to complete another remarkable victory for the tournament debutants, who have now claimed wins over defending champions Nigeria and Egypt as well as Ghana.

The Scorchers had already topped Group C on their first appearance at the competition. Their progress to the last four makes Malawi one of only a small number of debutant teams to reach the Wafcon semi-finals.

They will also take one of Africa’s four automatic qualification places for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Brazil – the first time Malawi have reached the global finals.

Ghana, meanwhile, saw their hopes of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2007 suffer a major setback. The Black Queens still have another route to qualification, however, and will play Ivory Coast in an African playoff. The winner of that tie will advance to the intercontinental playoffs.

Ghana started the quarter-final strongly and took the lead after only seven minutes. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah finished well to give Kim Lars Bjorkegren’s side an early advantage and raise hopes of a place in the final four.

Malawi responded almost immediately. Temwa Chawinga, the Scorchers captain and leading forward, levelled in the 12th minute, once again showing why she is considered one of Africa’s finest attacking players.

The equaliser opened up an entertaining and hard-fought match. Both sides created chances during a fast-paced contest, with the significance of the prize – a semi-final place and World Cup qualification – clear to both teams.

Ghana thought they had restored their lead soon after half-time when Doris Boaduwaa scored. A video assistant referee review ruled out the effort, though, in one of the match’s key moments.

The Black Queens sent on additional attacking players, including Princella Adubea, Wasila Mohammed and Princess Marfo, but could not find a way through a well-organised Malawi defence.

Malawi continued to pose a threat on the counter, with the speed and movement of sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga causing problems for Ghana’s back line.

Their pressure eventually produced the winning goal. Kadzere found room in the penalty area and kept her composure to finish past Ghana and send Malawi into the semi-finals.

In the other quarter-final played on Sunday, Cameroon beat defending champions Nigeria 1-0 in Casablanca to ensure a new Wafcon winner will be crowned in Morocco.

The Indomitable Lionesses produced a determined defensive performance to end Nigeria’s title defence and book their place in the last four.

Cameroon scored the only goal in the 19th minute through 20-year-old Myriam Maeva Nyadjou. The midfielder struck a powerful long-range effort into the top corner, beyond the reach of Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Nigeria’s defeat means the defending champions will not retain their title, while Cameroon continue their pursuit of a first Wafcon crown.