NAIROBI, Kenya, August 13, 2026 – If there were any remaining doubts about who owns the narrative at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), Malawi and the legendary Chawinga sisters just obliterated them.
In what is rapidly becoming the greatest underdog story in African football history, tournament debutants Malawi reached their first-ever WAFCON final on Wednesday night with a 3-1 victory over Algeria at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
The Scorchers didn’t just qualify for the final, they blew the door off continental football norms.
First, they survived the brutal “Group of Death” alongside heavyweights Nigeria, Zambia, and Egypt.
Then, they dispatched Ghana 2-1 in the quarterfinals to lock in a historic berth at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
On Wednesday, they systematically dismantled Algeria to stand 90 minutes away from continental glory.
At the center of this fairytale stands the most lethal sibling duo currently in world football: Tabitha Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga.
Against 10-woman Algeria, the Chawinga sisters were involved in all three goals.
Captain Tabitha broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute with a sensational acrobatic volley off the crossbar, before Temwa doubled the lead prior to half-time after rounding the goalkeeper.
When Algeria pulled one back in the second half, Tabitha struck again with a ruthless left-footed finish to lock up her brace and seal the 3-1 win.
The Golden Boot race is now a mouth-watering battle among Africa’s elite frontrunners.
Tied at 5 goals are Barbra Banda (Zambia) and Temwa Chawinga (Malawi) whereas Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi) has 4 goals.
If Temwa or Tabitha finds the net in Sunday’s final, the individual crown will belong to Malawi.
But for those who follow global women’s football closely, this level of dominance is business as usual for the duo.
Temwa Chawinga’s terrifying form in Morocco follows a legendary run in the NWSL, where she captured back-to-back Golden Boots and two MVP awards, tearing defenses apart in North America.
Tabitha Chawinga’s pedigree in Europe is equally formidable, with back-to-back Première Ligue Champion, won the Coupe de France Féminine and Coupe de la LFFP during her stellar stint with Lyon, and she has reached the 2025–26 UEFA Women’s Champions League final where they lost to Barcelona.
Sunday’s final will make history regardless of the opponent, crowning only the fourth nation ever to lift the WAFCON trophy, following the exits of past champions Nigeria and South Africa.
Beyond the silverware, Malawi’s run sparks a much larger debate on the global award circuit.
For years, individual accolades like the Ballon d’Or Féminin have been dominated by European and South American household names like Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo, and Marta.
What Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga are accomplishing on both club and international stages proves that African players belong firmly in those top-tier award discussions.
African women’s football is no longer just promising, it is world-class, and the Chawinga sisters are leading the charge.
