Malawi booked their place in the quarterfinals of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Zambia in their final Group C match on Wednesday evening.
The Scorchers advanced on goal difference after a dramatic conclusion to the group, finishing top of the standings ahead of defending champions Nigeria, who defeated Egypt 6-2 in the other Group C fixture.
Zambia made the perfect start, taking the lead inside the opening minute through the tournament’s leading scorer, Barbra Banda, who unleashed a powerful strike from distance to register her fifth goal of the competition.
Their second goal arrived eight minutes before the break when Margaret Belemu cut the ball back from the byline for Prisca Chilufya, who fired home to hand Zambia a commanding 2-0 advantage.
Knowing a goal could prove decisive in the battle for qualification, Malawi emerged after the restart with greater urgency.
Their persistence paid off in the 72nd minute when Tabitha Chawinga skipped past two defenders before drilling a low finish beyond the goalkeeper to reduce the deficit.
Kabange Mupopo came within inches of adding a third for Zambia late on, only to see her close-range effort come off the woodwork with the goalkeeper beaten.
The final whistle confirmed the Scorchers progression despite the loss, while the Copper Queens see their CAF WAFCON Morocco 2026 campaign come to an unfortunate end.
Nigeria booked their place in the quarterfinals on the same night with a commanding 6-2 victory over Egypt in their final Group C match at the Rabat Olympic Stadium.
Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute before Gift Monday doubled Nigeria’s lead in first-half stoppage time after being set up by Rinsola Babajide.
Nadine Ghazi pulled one back for Egypt with a penalty deep into first-half added time, but Nigeria took control after the break through Uchenna Kanu, Christy Ucheibe, Rasheedat Ajibade and Joy Omewa.
Ghazi scored Egypt’s second in the 84th minute, but it was not enough to stop the Cleopatras from ending the group stage without a point.-CAF
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