Malawi produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, coming from behind to defeat Ghana 2-1 and book a place in the semi-finals.
The victory also secured Malawi qualification for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, marking a historic achievement for the Scorchers, who had never previously qualified for a major international tournament.
Ghana made a bright start at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, taking the lead in the seventh minute through Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah.
The Black Queens failed to hold on to their advantage, however, as Malawi captain Temwa Chawinga restored parity five minutes later with a powerful effort from outside the box that took a deflection on its way into the net.
Ghana appeared to have regained the lead in the 54th minute when Doris Boaduwaa headed in from Alice Kusi’s cross, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review found Kusi offside in the build-up.
Malawi grew stronger as the match progressed and eventually completed the comeback in the 79th minute.
Rose Kadzere raced onto a cross from Chawinga, broke into the Ghanaian defence and calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan to give the Scorchers a dramatic victory.
The result capped an extraordinary campaign for Malawi, who had already defeated Nigeria in the group stage and eliminated Zambia before overcoming Ghana.
Ranked 153rd in the world before the tournament, Malawi will now face Algeria in the second semi-final on Wednesday in Rabat, while Morocco will take on Cameroon in the other last-four clash.
Ghana, meanwhile, will have to settle for a place in the tournament’s remaining qualification pathway for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
