Malawi defeated Algeria 3-1 in Rabat on Wednesday to go to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final, with Tabitha Chawinga scoring twice and Temwa Chawinga once.
Malawi is ranked 153rd in the world, 116 places behind pre-WAFCON favorites and record 10-time champions Nigeria, who were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Malawi took advantage of Algerian Morgane Belkhiter’s red card for a last-defender foul midway through the first half to lead 2-0 at halftime.
Captain Tabitha Chawinga scored with an overhead kick in the 33rd minute following a corner, and Temwa Chawinga rounded goalie Chloe N’Gazi to score one minute later.
Malawi, who had already scored twice, were reduced to ten players after Rose Kadzere was sent off for a studs-up tackle just before halftime.
Algeria got one back on 60 minutes through Ikram Adjabi, but Tabitha Chawinga restored the two-goal lead with a solo goal after 76 minutes.
Temwa Chawinga of Kansas City had five goals in Africa’s premier women’s football event, while Tabitha of French club Lyon has four.
Algeria had no chance of recovering after conceding for the third time, and they would have to settle for the third-place playoff on Saturday.
Malawi will face Morocco or Cameroon in the final on Sunday, with a record two-million-dollar first prize on the line. The teams will meet in the second semi-final later on Wednesday.
Malawi, Algeria, Morocco, and Cameroon have qualified for the Women’s World Cup in Brazil in 2027 after reaching the semi-finals.
