Malawi’s remarkable run at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will end with a final against Cameroon after the tournament debutants defeated Algeria 3-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final.
Cameroon secured their place in Sunday’s showpiece by overcoming hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties, following a goalless match that remained scoreless through extra time.
The final in Rabat, scheduled for 21:00 South African time on Sunday, will produce a new African champion. Every previous edition of the continental tournament has been won by one of Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria or South Africa.
Malawi have overturned expectations throughout their first appearance at the finals. They began by beating defending champions Nigeria in their opening group match, before continuing their progress with a narrow quarter-final victory over Ghana, another more fancied opponent.
Their latest success against Algeria was driven by the Chawinga sisters. Tabitha Chawinga scored twice, while Temwa Chawinga also found the net to put Malawi into their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final. Algeria’s only goal came from Ikram Adjabi.
Cameroon’s semi-final against Morocco was decided in a dramatic penalty shootout after neither side could break the deadlock during 90 minutes or extra time.
Morocco appeared to have a late opportunity to take control when they were awarded a penalty two minutes before the end of extra time following a VAR review. However, Fatima Tagnaout was unable to convert, with her attempt saved.
The decisive moment then came in the shootout. Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina saved three further penalties to keep her side in contention before teenager Myriam Nyadjou calmly scored the winning kick.
Cameroon will now meet Malawi in a final that guarantees a first-time champion from the two finalists. The result will also complete a tournament that has already seen Malawi eliminate the reigning champions and Cameroon defeat the host nation.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals also serve as qualification for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four teams that win their quarter-finals secure qualification for that tournament.
That pathway has already been completed by both finalists, with Malawi overcoming Ghana and Cameroon progressing from their side of the knockout stage. Their meeting in Rabat will therefore decide the continental title, while bringing the competition’s latest surprise story to its conclusion.
Malawi’s place in the final represents the latest step in a campaign that began with a major upset against Nigeria and has continued through victories over Ghana and Algeria. Cameroon, meanwhile, have reached the decisive match after surviving a tense encounter with the hosts and relying on Bihina’s penalty-saving performance.
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