Chawinga sisters lead Malawi to Women's Africa Cup of Nations final

Malawi has reached the final of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) following a 3-1 victory over Algeria in the semi-final stage. The win continues a historic sequence of results for the Malawian national team, which has outperformed expectations throughout the continental tournament.

According to BBC Africa, the match was decided by the clinical performance of sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga. The duo accounted for all three of Malawi's goals, ensuring the team's progression to the final round of Africa's premier women's football competition.

The result marks a significant milestone for Malawi, a nation that has historically worked to establish its presence among the elite footballing powers of the continent. Their victory over Algeria, a side with its own established continental pedigree, highlights the shifting dynamics within African women's sport.

Throughout the 2026 campaign, Malawi has been described as having a "fairy tale run," consistently overcoming more highly-ranked opponents to reach the final. The Chawinga sisters have been central to this success, with their combined three-goal haul in the semi-final serving as the decisive factor in the 3-1 scoreline.

The Women's Africa Cup of Nations serves as the primary international competition for women's association football in Africa. Reaching the final represents the highest achievement to date for the Malawian women's program, positioning them one match away from a maiden continental title. Details regarding the upcoming final match and Malawi's opponent were not immediately available following the semi-final conclusion.

Based on reporting by BBC Africa.