Lead image for 2026 Women’s Afcon: Surprise package Malawi play Cameroon in final.
IN RABAT, MOROCCO
Cameroon play débutantes Malawi in a potentially explosive final match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) at Moulay Al Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 8pm local time.
The two sides have never met before, making today’s final their first-ever encounter. Malawi have been the surprise package of the tournament, finishing top of Group ‘C’ before storming into the final with an impressive attacking display. The Scorchers opened their campaign with a stunning 3-2 victory over defending champions Nigeria before beating Egypt 3-1. They then lost 2-1 to Zambia in their final group match but still advanced as group winners.
Coached by Lovemore Fazili, Malawi collected six points in the group stage, the same as Nigeria and Zambia. They topped the group on head-to-head results. In the quarter-finals, Malawi defeated Ghana 2-1 before producing another impressive performance to beat Algeria 3-1 in the semi-finals, booking their place in the final.
Chawinga sisters Temwa and Tabitha have been at the heart of Malawi’s remarkable campaign. The two have accounted for three of the four goals their team scored in their knock-out victories over Ghana and Algeria.
Temwa has five goals in the tournament, putting her level with Zambia’s Barbara Banda at the top of the scoring charts, while Tabitha has four goals and remains another major threat for Cameroon.
With Banda already eliminated along with Zambia, the Chawinga sisters have an opportunity to finish as the tournament’s leading scorers if they can maintain their form in the final.
Malawi’s run has already secured them a historic place at the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Brazil, their first appearance at the global tournament. They have qualified for the global tournament alongside Morocco, Cameroon and Algeria after reaching the semi-finals.