The Scorchers last night booked a historic place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to neighbours Zambia’s Copper Queens in their final Group C match.
Malawi, Zambia and Nigeria all finished Group C with six points each after Nigeria defeated Egypt 5-2.
Under the competition’s tiebreak regulations, the three teams were first separated by points obtained in matches involving only the tied teams, leaving all three level on three points.
The next criterion, goal difference in the head-to-head mini-league, placed Malawi first, Nigeria second and Zambia third.
The outcome means Malawi are group winners and advance to the quarter-finals on their maiden Wafcon appearance.
Going into the decisive encounter knowing that a draw would guarantee qualification, the Scorchers found themselves trailing 2-0 at half-time after Zambia struck twice through Barbra Banda and Prisca Chilufya.
Coach Lovemore Fazili responded by introducing Tendai Sani for Madyina Nguluwe early in the second-half as Malawi searched for a way back into the contest.
Zambia continued to dominate possession and successfully cut off the midfield supply to star forwards Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, with the two also closely marshalled by Copper Queens defenders.
But hope returned in the 72nd minute when captain Tabitha pulled one back to set up a thrilling finale.
Malawi pressed relentlessly for an equaliser and came agonisingly close in the 82nd minute when Temwa slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the box for Asimenye Simwaka.
However, the forward chose to control the ball with her chest before shooting, allowing Zambia’s defence and goalkeeper Hazel Nali to recover and make a crucial block.
Although the Scorchers were unable to find a late equaliser and eventually lost 2-1, celebrations erupted after the final whistle as the CAF regulations on three-way ties confirmed their progression to the knockout stage
