Malawi continued their remarkable WAFCON debut campaign on Sunday, defeating Ghana 2-1 to reach the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 for the first time.
The Scorchers, who had already stunned defending champions Nigeria and Egypt in the group stage, completed another major upset with a dramatic second-half winner from Rose Kadzere.
Ghana made the brighter start and took the lead after just seven minutes through Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah. But Malawi responded quickly, with captain and star forward Temwa Chawinga equalising in the 12th minute.
The Black Queens thought they had regained the lead shortly after half-time when Doris Boaduwaa found the net, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review.
Ghana continued to push forward and introduced fresh attacking options, but Malawi remained disciplined at the back while threatening on the counter through the Chawinga sisters.
Their persistence paid off in the 79th minute when Kadzere found space inside the area and calmly finished beyond the Ghana goalkeeper to put Malawi ahead.
The Black Queens pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but the Scorchers held firm to secure one of the most significant victories in their history.
Malawi, competing at their first-ever Women’s AFCON, have now reached the semi-finals and secured one of Africa’s automatic places at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Ghana's World Cup hopes remain alive
Ghana’s hopes of returning to the global finals for the first time since 2007 are not over.
The Black Queens will face Côte d’Ivoire in an African play-off, with the winner advancing to the intercontinental play-offs for another route to Brazil 2027.
For Malawi, however, the dream has already become reality: a first WAFCON appearance has ended with a historic semi-final berth and World Cup qualification.
