Malawi’s impressive run at the expanded 16-nation competition in Morocco demonstrates that African women’s football can flourish beyond its established powerhouses.
Apart from the tournament’s first edition in 1998, Malawi are the first newcomers to progress to the final.
Their semi-final appearance has already secured qualification for next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup in Brazil, but the Scorchers are now close to achieving something even more remarkable, particularly with the Chawinga sisters in outstanding attacking form.
Expectations were high before the tournament after Tabitha helped OL Lyonnes claim another French championship last season, while Temwa earned her second golden boot and MVP honour with NWSL club Kansas City Current.
The sisters have lived up to that billing, contributing eight of Malawi’s 12 goals. Temwa has scored five and Tabitha three, with their speed, strength and intelligent movement repeatedly troubling opposing defenders.
Tabitha’s opening goal was an unforgettable moment in the match.
Asimenye Simwaka, who had competed in the 200m and 400m semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow only two weeks earlier, headed a corner back toward the centre of the box. With her back to goal, the older Chawinga initially appeared unlikely to threaten.
However, the 30-year-old turned sharply and produced an inventive left-footed overhead effort that beat Algeria goalkeeper Chloe N’Gazi before striking the crossbar.
N’Gazi moved to avoid the rebound and seemed ready to gather it after the bounce, but the ball’s backspin carried it over the line instead.
Belkhiter was dismissed midway through the opening half in a decision that appeared severe, although replays showed her making contact with the back of Tabitha’s heel.
The incident occurred far from goal, while Roselene Khezami challenged Chawinga from the opposite side and appeared to touch the ball as both defenders lunged in.
Malawi capitalised on their extra player when Temwa Chawinga went around N’Gazi and calmly finished for a 2-0 lead. Kadzere’s justified dismissal soon afterward, however, gave the North African side an opportunity to respond.
The Malawi midfielder barely touched the top of the ball before following through and catching Marine Dafeur above the ankle.
It was an avoidable tackle, especially because it happened inside Algeria’s penalty area.
Melissa Bethi and Temwa Chawinga each wasted excellent chances during the early stages of the second half, before Adjabi found the net around the hour mark.
Two Malawi defenders failed to clear Dafeur’s long free-kick, leaving the attacker free to volley across goal and reduce the gap.
Both teams appeared increasingly tired until Tabitha Chawinga scored her second to decide the game, advancing into the penalty area with little resistance and guiding the ball home from just beyond the six-yard box.
Despite entering the competition ranked 153rd in the world, Malawi have emerged as one of Wafcon’s biggest surprises.
Only the final obstacle remains, and their current performances will give the Chawinga sisters confidence that Malawi can overcome any opponent.
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