Malawi Stun Egypt And Go Top Of WAFCON Group C

Temwa And Tabitha Chawinga inspire Malawi’s win over Egypt

Malawi secured a 3-1 victory over Egypt at WAFCON 2024. The Scorchers are top of Group C and could reach the quarter-finals in just their second game.

10-Player Malawi stun Egypt to reach back-to-back wins at WAFCON...

Down to 10 players after the 52nd minute, Malawi held on to beat Egypt 3-1. The win gave them back-to-back victories at their first ever Women's Africa Cup of Nations and sent Egypt out of the tournament.

 

Egypt started the stronger side, with Nour Abdelwahed forcing the first save with a diving header.

Then from the edge of the area, Ali Mahira got the game’s first shot on target with a half-volley, but it didn’t have enough power to trouble Mercy Sikelo.

Malawi were still yet to test the keeper. Rose Alufandika had a go from the right, but her shot drifted well wide.

 

Egypt grew into the game and created another shot on target. Yassmin Zezo finished a team move, but her effort was too weak to beat Sikelo.

Unsurprisingly, Malawi’s first shot on target came from Temwa Chawinga. After scoring twice against Nigeria, she met a Rose Kadzere cross with a half-volley, but Maha Shehata was equal to it at the near post.

Next it was Tabitha Chawinga testing the Egyptian defence, after a great run from Zezo who had started the match brightly.

Malawi turned up the tempo and earned a corner after Tabitha Chawinga’s shot was deflected. That set up another chance for Kadzere, but Shehata saved her header.

Leticia Chinyamula had the next attempt from outside the box. It was her fourth shot of the game, and this one went wide.

Malawi broke the deadlock through Kadzere. After a brilliant lay-off and turn from Temwa Chawinga, Kadzere stretched to poke the ball home. The Ascent Soccer forward also scored her first goal at a major international tournament.

Malawi made it 2-0 just before half-time. Benadetta Mkandawire delivered a long cross and Faith Chinzimu’s first-time effort was blocked by Shehata. She reacted quickly though, and buried the rebound with an acrobatic volley.

Malawi came out pressing after the break. Tabitha Chawinga looked for a third, getting in unmarked on the left before firing a strong shot at the near post that the Egyptian keeper saved well.

It turned sour for the Scorchers when Habiba Essam broke through on goal. Alufandika was late with her challenge to stop her and was sent off. She left the pitch in tears, leaving Malawi to play the rest of the game with 10 players.

The red card gave Egypt fresh hope and they hit Malawi on the break. Nadine Ghazi set up Farah El Mahdy, but the young striker’s effort from the byline was stopped by Sikelo for her fourth save of the game.

At the other end Malawi kept pushing. Mkandawire made Shehata work at the near post, then Kadzere drove down the right and crossed to the back post for Tabitha Chawinga, but Shehata denied her too.

Even down to 10, Malawi struck again on a blistering counter. Kadzere picked the ball up in midfield and floated a brilliant lob over the Egyptian defence for the Chawinga sisters. Temwa reacted first and rounded Shehata, who came off her line but couldn’t get there, to score.

Egypt responded immediately. Mahira delivered a perfect free-kick and Iman Hassan, left unmarked at the far post, powered a superb header past Sikelo. The young centre-back broke down in tears after scoring.

The game finished with fouls at both ends, but the story was Malawi’s dominance. Playing with 10 players didn’t slow them down at all.

Malawi thought they had a penalty too. After the Egyptian keeper parried a shot, Tabitha Chawinga volleyed in the rebound. Hassan, who had just scored for Egypt, blocked it with her hand and the referee initially gave a penalty. He later changed his mind and overturned the decision.

The control. The assist. The finish. Malawi at their best. ✨🇲🇼#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2026 pic.twitter.com/vjEGfLf91P

— CAF Women Football (@CAFwomen) August 1, 2026

Playing at their first ever Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Malawi have now won two in a row after beating Nigeria in their opener. The Scorchers sit top of Group C for now, ahead of Nigeria vs Zambia on Saturday night. Depending on that result, Malawi could seal a quarter-final spot in just their second game a historic first.

In the last group game, Malawi take on Zambia in a Southern Africa derby that looks set to be tight. Egypt, who are already out, will face Nigeria.