Bernadetta Mkandawire, Lyna James and Maggie Chombo are part of Malawian football history after the Scorchers defeated Ghana 2-1 on Sunday night to reach the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 semi-finals and secure qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
Malawi came from behind in a gripping quarter-final, with Temwa Chawinga cancelling out Ghana’s early opener before Rose Kadzere completed the turnaround 12 minutes from time.
The victory carried significance far beyond a place in the WAFCON last four. For the first time in the country’s football history, a senior Malawi national team — men’s or women’s — will compete at a FIFA World Cup.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women defender Mkandawire played the entire contest and fittingly made Malawi’s final clearance before the full-time whistle, while midfielder James was an unused substitute.
Bullets Women head coach Chombo, serving as an assistant coach with the Scorchers, was also on the touchline as Malawi added another remarkable chapter to their historic debut WAFCON campaign.
Malawi respond to early setback
Ghana made the stronger start and took the lead after six minutes when the Black Queens capitalised on a loose ball inside the Malawi area.
The response was immediate.
Five minutes later, Temwa controlled the ball with her chest before striking towards goal, with her effort taking a deflection on its way in to bring the Scorchers level.
The equaliser settled Malawi after Ghana’s fast opening and the contest developed into a fiercely fought quarter-final, with both sides searching for control.
Mkandawire was again deployed on the right side of Malawi’s defence and contributed at both ends of the pitch. Early in the second half, the Bullets Women defender swung an inviting delivery into the Ghana area after the Scorchers recycled possession, with Tabitha Chawinga challenging for the ball before the referee awarded a free-kick to the goalkeeper.
Ghana thought they had regained the lead in the 53rd minute when Alice Kusi broke down the right and crossed for Doris Boaduwaa to head into the far corner.
The Scorchers had appealed for offside in the build-up and, following a VAR review, Kusi was adjudged to have strayed beyond the defensive line and the goal was ruled out.
Ghana enjoyed a spell of pressure afterwards, but Malawi remained composed before beginning to threaten again.
Ireen Khumalo came close to putting the Scorchers ahead when her powerful free-kick forced Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Kadzere completes the turnaround
The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute.
Temwa produced an excellent piece of work down the right before finding Kadzere inside the area. The midfielder broke beyond the Ghana defence and, one-on-one with the advancing Konlan, calmly slotted past the goalkeeper to complete Malawi’s turnaround.
From conceding inside six minutes, the Scorchers were now 2-1 ahead and closing in on a place in the continental semi-finals — with World Cup qualification attached to it.
Ghana responded and threatened to equalise three minutes later, but Mercy Sikelo produced an excellent double save to protect Malawi’s advantage.
The Scorchers were not content merely to defend their lead. Khumalo tested Konlan with another long-range free-kick before Temwa was also denied as Malawi searched for the goal that would put the contest beyond Ghana.
There was further Bullets connection during the closing stages.
Former Bullets winger Vanessa Chikupira, introduced for Asimenye Simwaka in the 75th minute, provided fresh energy before former midfielder Tendai Sani replaced match-winner Kadzere with two minutes of regulation time remaining.
The pair combined during five minutes of added time, with Chikupira finding Sani, who in turn released Faith Chimzimu for an effort saved by Konlan.
Mkandawire has the final say
With Malawi edging closer to history, Ghana were afforded one last opportunity.
Deep into the fifth minute of added time, the Black Queens won a corner and sent the delivery into the Scorchers’ penalty area.
Mkandawire was there to clear.
The referee immediately sounded the full-time whistle.
It was a fitting final contribution from the Bullets Women defender on a night when Malawi completed a 2-1 comeback, reached the WAFCON semi-finals and secured a place on the biggest stage in women’s football.
Mkandawire has been a regular in Malawi’s starting XI throughout the Scorchers’ historic debut campaign and again completed the full contest against Ghana.
James was an unused substitute on Sunday but remains part of the squad that has now written itself into Malawian football history.
For Chombo, the journey also continues. Our women’s team head coach has combined her club responsibilities with her role as Malawi assistant coach at the continental finals and is now part of the technical team that secured the country’s historic World Cup qualification.
A first World Cup for Malawi
Malawi’s passage into the WAFCON semi-finals secured automatic qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
The Scorchers will become the first senior Malawian national team — male or female — to compete at a FIFA World Cup.
It is a landmark achieved on their first appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
After navigating Group C to reach the knockout stages, Malawi overcame Ghana in Sunday night’s quarter-final to move into Africa’s final four and secure their place among the nations heading to Brazil next year.
Algeria await in the last four
The historic campaign now moves into another phase.
Malawi will face Algeria in the WAFCON semi-finals on Wednesday, 12 August, at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00.
World Cup qualification has been secured. A place in the continental final is now at stake.
For Bullets, Mkandawire, James and Chombo are part of history.
For Malawi, a World Cup dream has finally become reality.
