Sister Act: Chawinga Sisters Fire Malawi Into Historic WAFCON Final

Malawi went from WAFCON debutants to authors of African football's biggest fairytale - and once again, the Chawinga sisters were at the heart of it.

Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga inspired the Scorchers to stun Algeria in the semi-final and claim their place in Sunday's Women's Africa Cup of Nations final for the first time in their history. After years of dreaming, Malawi booked their place in Sunday's final - and guaranteed themselves at least a top-two finish at the tournament — with a 3-1 victory over Algeria. Should they beat Cameroon in Rabat, they would also qualify for next year's FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.

Malawi: From Debutants to Africa Cup of Nations Finalists

Before this summer's WAFCON, Malawi had never played in a finals tournament. That run ended in Morocco.

Ahead of the tournament, the Malawi FA confirmed that their representatives were competing in the finals for the first time and were pooled in Group C with Nigeria, Zambia and Egypt. Defending champions Nigeria were among the teams tipped by the sports pundits and the best betting sites in Malawi listed on Bettingtop10 to progress from the group stage. Malawi, though, started their campaign with a bang. Downing Nigeria 3-2 in their opener meant Malawi had arrived in Morocco with serious intent.

The Chawinga Show against Nigeria

Malawi's match against Nigeria turned out to be the moment the Scorchers announced themselves. Goals from Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga helped Malawi to a 3-2 victory. Malawi took the lead through Temwa's strike before Tabitha doubled her nation's lead six minutes later.

Temwa added a third before Asisat Oshoala pulled one back for Nigeria, but Malawi held on to secure one of the biggest results in WAFCON history. Especially considering Nigeria had never lost to a team making their finals debut before.

Two Sisters, One Journey

The story of Malawi's fairytale run begins with the Chawinga sisters. Temwa is the younger sister. Tabitha played club football in Europe with teams including Inter Milan and Paris Saint- Germain before joining Lyon.

Temwa has followed her sister on the international stage, playing club football in Sweden, China, and, most recently, the USA. Temwa is currently plying her trade with Kansas City Current, where she made history as the first player to win back-to-back NWSL MVP awards. Playing together for Malawi has added a new chapter to their story.

Speed, Skills and Sisterly Telepathy

When one sister gets the ball, you know the other is watching. Tabitha and Temwa have grown up playing together. They now have the experience of playing top-flight women's football in Europe and America. Put those together, and you have a potent weapon.

Speed, attacking intelligence and deadly finishing from Malawi's front two, combined with years of playing together. It showed against Nigeria, where both sisters scored. Against Algeria, teammates, fans and pundits were quick to praise the telepathy between the sisters. Tabitha reportedly scored a brace against Algeria while Temwa registered both a goal and an assist as Malawi battered Algeria 3-1.

Malawi Triumph Over Algeria

Like Malawi, Algeria had dreams of reaching their first WAFCON final. Coming into the tournament, Algeria had featured at six previous WAFCON tournaments and reached the quarter-finals in 2024.

Malawi had none of that experience, with Saturday's match their first competitive game at the tournament. What happened next sums up Malawi's incredible adventure at this tournament. The Chawinga sisters were on the scoresheet as Malawi defeated Algeria to reach the WAFCON final for the first time.

Dreams Come True As Malawi Secure WAFCON, World Cup Tickets

Goal droughts have been interrupted before in this tournament. As WAFCON doubles as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, Malawi are already guaranteed to be welcoming next year's tournament to Brazil as they join Cameroon and Algeria in qualifying for the global showpiece. A WAFCON final appearance means Malawi have now guaranteed themselves back-to-back historic achievements: their first Women's Africa Cup of Nations final, and their first appearance at a FIFA Women's World Cup.

There's only one final obstacle between Malawi and glory. The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon are waiting in Sunday's final. Cameroon are appearing in their fourth Women's Africa Cup of Nations final, but are yet to win the tournament. The Lionesses beat Morocco on penalties in a goalless semi-final. Malawi will line up against a team with vast amounts of experience at Africa's premier women's football tournament. The journey from Malawi's dusty streets to African football's biggest stage has been made by just two people.

Tabitha Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga



The pair have overcome adversity to get this far. Growing up, they had to battle a culture that opposed girls playing football in Malawi. Now millions of their countrymen and women will be watching them take on Cameroon in the final, dreaming that one last stunning twist in the script awaits them.

They qualified for the World Cup. Now they're four hours away from lifting the biggest prize in African women's football. No matter what happens on Sunday, Malawi have already won Africa over with their story and bookended by two goals from the nation's heroine sisters.