Malawi women national team produced a stunning performance to defeat Algeria 3-1 and book a historic place in the final of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) , while simultaneously securing qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.The Scorchers made the most of a dominant first-half display before withstanding a spirited Algerian fightback to complete a memorable victory and keep their continental title ambitions alive.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsBoth sides started brightly, with Malawi threatening first through Chikondi Gondwe, whose effort from outside the box swerved narrowly wide. Algeria responded in the quarter hour mark when Lana Smits Ouraghi met Ikram Idjabi's long ball, but her attempted volley failed to trouble Mercy Sikelo.##NAJAVA_MECA_9892481##Malawi continued to carry the greater threat and came close through Temwa Chawinga in the 20th minute, only for her quick effort to roll just wide of the post.Three minutes later, Algeria were reduced to 10 players when Morgane Belkhiter was shown a red card for a foul on Chawinga that denied the Malawian forward a clear goalscoring opportunity.Malawi eventually broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute through Tabitha Chawinga. Harambee Stars forward finds new club after ditching Finnish sideIreen Khumalo's corner was flicked back into the danger area by Asimenye Simwaka, allowing Chawinga to produce an acrobatic overhead kick that flew into the net.Malawi continued to press and nearly doubled their advantage through Khumalo, whose curling effort four minutes before the interval struck the crossbar.They did not have to wait long for a second. In stoppage time.Faith Chimzimu threaded a superb pass into the box for Khumalo, who rounded the goalkeeper before calmly slotting home.The drama continued before the interval as Malawi were also reduced to a player less following a lengthy VAR review, with Rose Kadzere shown a red card for a late challenge on Algeria captain Marine Dafeur.Neymar joins Migori Youth as FKFPL debut preparations intensifyAlgeria emerged from the break with renewed purpose and eventually pulled one back in the 60th minute. Idjabi pounced on a loose ball in the Malawi defence and unleashed a low volley from distance to give the Desert Warriors hope.Lynda Bendris then went close to an equaliser, but her effort sailed over the bar as Algeria pushed forward.However, Malawi restored their two-goal cushion 14 minutes from time through captain Chawinga. Bennaete Mkandawire picked her out, and the forward controlled the ball before driving into the box and calmly placing her finish into the bottom-right corner.Rwanda secures CECAFA Kagame Cup hosting rights for next two editionsChawinga nearly completed her hat-trick late on, but her effort from a tight angle narrowly missed the target.Algeria pressed until the final whistle, but Malawi held firm to seal a famous 3-1 victory.Gor Mahia coach draws positives from team's CECAFA Kagame Cup campaignThe result sends Malawi into their maiden WAFCON final and also earns them a historic place at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. Algeria, despite the defeat, also secured their World Cup ticket by virtue of reaching the semi-finals, ensuring both sides leave the tournament with a place on the global stage.
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