Malawi Defeats Egypt and Moves Within Reach of the WAFCON 2026 Quarterfinals

Malawi continues to write one of the most remarkable stories of the WAFCON 2026. After stunning defending champion Nigeria in its opening match, the Scorchers defeated Egypt 3-1 to move within touching distance of the quarterfinals, while the Pharaohs were mathematically eliminated from the tournament.

With six points from two matches, Malawi sits provisionally atop Group C and will head into the final matchday with its fate firmly in its own hands.

Malawi Struck at the Perfect Moments

Egypt came out determined to earn the victory it needed to stay alive in the competition. Just two minutes into the match, Sarah Essam delivered a dangerous cross into the box, but none of her teammates could apply the finishing touch despite being in an excellent position.

The game began at a high tempo. Malawi controlled the midfield, while Egypt looked to exploit spaces on the counterattack.

In the 18th minute, Mercy Silero made a brilliant intervention, rushing off her line to deny Habiba Essam, who had broken through on goal.

Five minutes later, Egypt responded with another outstanding defensive moment. Goalkeeper Maha Shehata produced a spectacular save to keep out a powerful effort from Temwa Chawinga, who once again showed why she is one of the tournament's most dangerous forwards.

Just when the first half seemed destined to end scoreless, the brilliance of the Chawinga sisters made the difference.

In the 34th minute, Temwa Chawinga controlled the ball superbly inside the area before setting up Rose Kadzere, who calmly finished to give Malawi a 1-0 lead.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Faith Chinzimu reacted quickest to a rebound from Maha Shehata following a header, tapping home to double the advantage before halftime.

Temwa Sealed the Victory

The second half began under difficult circumstances for Malawi.

In the 51st minute, defender Rose Alufandika brought down an Egyptian attacker who was through on goal and received a straight red card, forcing Malawi to play with 10 players for most of the second half.

With the numerical advantage, Egypt pushed forward and dominated possession, trying to find a way back into the match.

Even with a player down, however, Malawi remained extremely dangerous on the counterattack.

In the 68th minute, Temwa Chawinga once again made her mark, delicately heading the ball past the advancing goalkeeper to score Malawi's third goal and her third of the tournament. The Kansas City Current forward delivered another outstanding performance, finishing with one goal and one assist.

Egypt finally got on the scoresheet in the 71st minute when Emam Kassem powered home a header from a well-delivered free kick, scoring the Pharaohs' first goal of this WAFCON.

The Egyptians kept fighting. In the 77th minute, Christina Salama came close to reducing the deficit further with a powerful long-range effort that skimmed the crossbar.

There was late drama in stoppage time. In the 93rd minute, the referee reviewed a potential handball inside the Egyptian penalty area that initially looked like it could result in a penalty for Malawi, but after consulting VAR, ruled there was no deliberate handball and allowed play to continue.

At the final whistle, Egypt was officially eliminated from the tournament, while Malawi moved to six points and stands on the brink of reaching the quarterfinals. Although the final standings in Group C will depend on the result between Nigeria and Zambia, the Scorchers head into the last matchday as the provisional group leaders with qualification firmly in their own hands.