IT WAS fitting that Malawi’s first game at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) was a victory over Nigeria. It was the first in a series of historic results at this summer’s tournament for the team nicknamed the Scorchers, where they have made unprecedented progress in the international game within the space of just a few weeks.

Nigeria were the highest-ranked team going into the tournament, and among the favourites to win it. They have won 10 of the 13 Wafcons played since the first in 1998, including the most recent 2024 edition, also hosted in Morocco, played in 2025.

Malawi, meanwhile, are tournament debutants and its lowest ranked team, sitting 153rd in Fifa’s rankings. They won’t be that low for much longer.

Malawi’s goals in the resulting 3-2 win against Nigeria that shocked the continent were scored by the Chawinga sisters. Temwa Chawinga, 27, is well known in the United States as one of the best players in the National Women’s Soccer League, where she plays for Kansas City Current, while her older sister Tabitha, 30, led the scoring charts for French powerhouse Lyon as they won their 19th league title in 2026.

This stunning result, as the newcomers overcame the dominant force in African women’s football, turned out not to be a one-off. Malawi defeated Egypt 3-1 in their next game, which was enough to see them through as group leaders despite a 1-0 defeat to Zambia in their final group game.

Next up was arguably the biggest result in Malawi’s history. Not only did their 2-1 quarter-final win against Ghana see them progress to the semifinals on their Wafcon debut, but it also secured them a place in the next World Cup, as this tournament doubles as qualification for the big one in Brazil in 2027.

Just as this was their first Wafcon appearance, 2027 will be their first appearance at a World Cup. Not a bad month’s work, and these victories have given them a chance of making even more history.

A chaotic, end-to-end semifinal against Algeria, in which both teams had plenty of chances, ended in a 3-1 victory for Malawi.

The sending off of midfielder Rose Kadzere just before halftime was a big blow, as she has been one of their most important players and will now be suspended for the final.

Regardless, getting this far in the tournament is already a huge result for Malawi, and their sharp ascension during this Wafcon has been remarkable.

Such speedy progress within one tournament is a reflection of a wider programme of player development, an increase in participation in women’s football in the country, and the work behind the scenes.

Organisations such as the Ascent Academy, based in the country’s capital, Lilongwe, have given young players a pathway to the professional game, and a handful of players in this Malawi team came through that system.

The Academy offers scholarships for promising young footballers from south-east Africa, and also prides itself on its climate consciousness and net-positive environmental footprint.

“Talent and desire are equally distributed across the globe,” reads a statement on the Ascent website. “Opportunity, however, is not.

“Ascent Soccer starts at the grassroots, inspiring and nurturing talented girls and boys in Southeast Africa to be brave, to lead by example and to believe in their ability to transform themselves, their communities and the world.

“We are soccer and scholarship that puts people and the planet first.”

Several of this team’s most important players, including 20-year-old Kadzere, are aged between 19 and 22.

It is this generation of players, all emerging in the same moment, who have turned Malawi into a team of surprise contenders for the title.

These young players have provided a platform for the Chawinga sisters to win them games, while also contributing to these victories themselves.

Full-backs Ireen Khumalo and Benadetta Mkandawire, both 22, and 19-year-old Rose Alufandika have been mainstays in the Scorchers’ back line at this tournament. All three play their club football in Malawi.

The 19-year-old midfielder Faith Chinzimu of Swedish club BK Hacken joins Kadzere in the middle of the park, and provided a great assist for Temwa in the semifinal.

Chinzimu came through the ranks at the aforementioned Ascent Academy, as did Khumalo and Kadzere.

“I started playing football when I was young, playing with boys in the streets and at school because I loved the game,” Chinzimu told the Confederation of African Football’s official website earlier this month.

“Football gave me joy and purpose, and as I grew up, I got more serious and joined teams.

“Playing with both Tabitha and Temwa [Chawinga] is a huge blessing. I’ve learnt so much about discipline, hard work, and believing in yourself.

“They always tell me to stay focused, work hard in training, and never be afraid to take chances.

“They lead by example and show us that if you come from Malawi, you can still reach the top.”

This combination of a successful, accessible academy and the inspiration provided by the likes of the Chawinga sisters has seen this group of young players and older stars emerge as a surprise package at this Wafcon.

By the time of the 2027 World Cup, there could be other star players coming through that same system.

It was Kadzere’s coolly taken winning goal against Ghana that secured qualification for the World Cup, and they will miss her greatly in Sunday’s Wafcon final.

Maybe Malawi President Peter Mutharika can put a call in to get it overturned.

Though themselves not fancied at the start of the tournament, opponents Cameroon will be Malawi’s most difficult test yet. They are unbeaten in the tournament, and knocked out Nigeria and Morocco in the quarters and semis respectively.

One thing is certain: the 2026 Wafcon will crown a first-time champion, and win or lose, Malawi’s progress has been one of the biggest achievements in international football in recent times.