Malawi have completed one of the biggest breakthroughs in Women’s Africa Cup of Nations history, coming from behind to defeat Ghana 2-1 in their quarter-final in Rabat. The result sends the tournament debutants into the semi-finals and guarantees them a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Ghana made the faster start and went ahead after seven minutes. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah met the ball with a volley to give the three-time WAFCON runners-up an early advantage.
Malawi needed only five minutes to respond. Temwa Chawinga’s effort took a deflection on its way into the net, bringing the teams level and changing the direction of the contest.
The decisive moment arrived in the 79th minute. Rose Kadzere drove into the penalty area and finished past goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan to put Malawi in front. Ghana applied pressure late in the match but did not create a clear enough opening to force extra time.
The victory is especially notable because Malawi entered the tournament ranked 153rd in the world and had never previously reached the WAFCON finals. Their campaign began with a win over 10-time champions Nigeria, followed by victory against Egypt. Although they lost to Zambia, they still finished top of their group on goals scored.
Malawi will now face Algeria in Casablanca on Wednesday. Hosts Morocco meet Cameroon in the other semi-final in Rabat. None of the four remaining teams have won the continental title before.
Reaching the last four also settles Malawi’s World Cup place. Every WAFCON semi-finalist qualifies automatically for the 2027 tournament in Brazil, while the four quarter-final losers retain a route through African and inter-confederation play-offs.
