By Jones Gadama
Malawi did it. Ranked 153rd in the world and playing their very first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the Scorchers came from behind on Sunday night to beat Ghana 2-1, storm into the WAFCON semi-finals, and punch their ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil for the first time ever, according to the official TotalEnergies CAF match report.
The quarter-final started like a nightmare. Just seven minutes in, Ghana’s Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah latched onto a loose ball and slotted past Swidiq Drani. 1-0 Black Queens. The stadium went quiet, but not for long.
Five minutes later Temwa Chawinga answered. The captain picked up the ball, drove at goal, and unleashed a rocket that ripped into the net. 1-1. Arms wide, chest out, she pointed to the Malawi badge as her teammates mobbed her.
The second half was pure drama. Ghana thought they had gone ahead when Doris Boaduwaa tapped in, only for VAR to chalk it off, as confirmed by CAF officials at the stadium.
You could feel the momentum shift. Coach Lovemore Fazili urged his girls higher.
The backline of Rose Kabzere and Chimwemwe Madise threw their bodies at everything.
Ghana threw on fresh legs — Princella Adubea, Wasila Mohammed, Princess Marfo — chasing a winner. But Malawi waited, and waited, and struck.
79th minute. A quick break. The ball found Rose Kadzere unmarked inside the box. One touch, one calm finish. 2-1 Malawi.
The bench exploded. Fans in Lilongwe and Blantyre poured into the streets.
For 11 minutes of stoppage time Ghana threw everything. Drani made a match-winning save.
Defenders blocked shots with their faces. When the final whistle came, players collapsed in tears.
This Scorchers team had already beaten defending champions Nigeria and Egypt in the group stage.
Now they are among Africa’s final four, and with it, Malawi secures one of Africa’s four automatic spots to the World Cup.
Speaking to CAF media after the game, Fazili said: “We said one step at a time. Now history is made.”
From underdogs to immortals. Malawi is going to the World Cup.
