Malawi Women’s National Football Team will this evening attempt to accomplish a feat of becoming the first debutant to win the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) as they face Cameroon in the final at Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
A victory for the Scorchers would crown a tournament in which they have already shattered expectations while Cameroon are chasing their first continental title after several agonising final defeats.
The Scorchers’ journey began with a stunning 3-2 victory over defending champions Nigeria, before they beat Egypt 3-1.
They then lost 2-1 to Zambia, but still topped Group C on six points.
In the quarter-finals, the Scorchers stunned Ghana 2-1, before producing perhaps their most impressive performance yet by defeating Algeria 3-1 in semi-finals with France-based captain Tabitha Chawinga scoring twice and her sister Temwa adding another goal.
The semi-final victory meant Malawi have scored 13 goals in five matches with Temwa netting five of those while Tabitha has scored four.
Rose Kabzere has scored two while Faith Chinzimu has one. The Scorchers have conceding seven.
Cameroon have taken a more defensive route.
They opened with a 2-1 win over Mali, defeated Ghana 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Cape Verde to finish top of Group D with seven points.
The Indomitable Lionesses then eliminated Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-final before surviving a goalless semi-final against hosts Morocco and winning the penalty shoot-out 3-1.
They have scored five goals and conceded two, keeping three clean sheets.
Malawi’s biggest weapon is their devastating attack.
The Chawinga sisters Temwa and Tabitha offer pace, movement and individual quality, capable of turning half-chances into goals.
They offer experience and creativity making them very dangerous.
Chinzimu has also emerged as an important midfield influence.
This is why Malawi’s ability to counter-attack has repeatedly troubled opponents.
Malawi coach Lovemore Fazili in a pre-match interview said his charges are ready for the final and that the Scorchers are concentrating on the immediate challenge rather than the magnitude of the occasion.
He said: “We are continuing preparing for the game and I am sure that whatever we are doing now and tomorrow, we are trying to win. And the player’s mind-set I think they are ready for the game. I am sure whoever is going to be given a chance to play, she is going to put 100 percent work rate
“So, I can assure you that everything is in place; everything is okay. And we don’t have injuries. The morale is also high.”
But Fazili admitted that he will miss France-based attacker Kabzere who is suspended after getting straight red card in the semifinals.
“We are going to miss her. She is one of our star players; one of our great players. But at the same time, I think we have good replacements for her.”
However, the Scorchers’ weakness is at the opposite end is in a defence that sometimes can be vulnerable when opponents sustain pressure, as evidenced in seven goals conceded in five matches.
The Scorchers defensive organisation will be severely tested by Cameroon’s physical approach and aerial threat.
But Fazili said they had done their homework on the shortfalls.
He said: “I have noted that we have a simple issue whereby we concede, you know, goals which we are not supposed to. So, we have tried to do the homework so that this will not happen again tomorrow. We have tried to train or to remind the defenders what they can do or cannot do.”
“Our weapon is [that] we have sharp strikers who are scoring each and every game. So, when they see this is happening at the back, they are not happy; they are annoyed.”
Cameroon’s strength on the other hand, is defensive resilience.
Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina has been outstanding, making nine saves against Nigeria before producing another heroic display against Morocco to become one of the tournament’s standout players.
The Lionesses also possess attacking threats in Marie Ngah Manga, who has scored twice, and Myriam Nyadjou, who scored the winner against Nigeria.
Grace Mendoua and veteran Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene add further experience and attacking options.
Cameroon coach Valentine Nguele, said the the Lionesses will not be intimidated by the Chawinga sisters.
She said: “We will be ready for them.”
For the Scorchers, the prize is more than the trophy.
They have already secured a historic place in the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup, but victory will transform Malawi’s remarkable debut into one of African football’s greatest underdog stories.
