Chawinga sisters drive Malawi into Women’s Africa Cup quarter-finals to face Ghana | OneFootball

Malawi, on their Women’s Africa Cup debut, have reached the quarter-finals and face Ghana in Rabat on Sunday at 22:00, powered by sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga.

It is the tournament’s biggest surprise so far, the Scorchers topping a group that included Nigeria, the 10-time champions and holders.

They beat Nigeria 3-2, then Egypt 3-1, before a 2-1 defeat to Zambia that did not halt their progress.

Captain Tabitha, 30, has led the line, joining Lyon two years ago after PSG. In her first Paris season she was D1 player of the year, top scorer with 18 and most assists with 10.

Temwa, three years younger, has excelled at Kansas City Current since 2024 after spells in Sweden and China, and was named the league’s best player after her first US season.

Across three games, Temwa scored twice and Tabitha once against Nigeria, then Tabitha added a goal and assist versus Egypt and struck again against Zambia. Together they scored five of Malawi’s seven group goals.

They remain close despite distance. Temwa says Tabitha unlocked her move to Kvarnsvedens IK in Sweden, persuading the club and fronting travel and visa costs that were later repaid.

Their rise could continue if Malawi overcome Ghana, who finished second in Group D behind Cameroon. The four semi-finalists qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, a stage Malawi have never reached.

Source: L'Équipe

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