06/08/2026
Malawi's Scorchers have made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on their tournament debut after finishing top of Group C, despite a 2-1 defeat to Zambia on August 5 in Morocco.
Coach Lovemore Fazili's side finished level on six points with Zambia and Nigeria in a tightly contested Group C. Malawi secured top spot after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) applied the tournament's tie-break rules following the final round of matches.
Although the Scorchers lost to the Copper Queens in Rabat, the result was not enough to deny them first place, capping off a dramatic and impressive group-stage campaign.
It is the first time the Scorchers have progressed beyond the group stage at WAFCON, marking a historic milestone for women's football in Malawi.
Reported by Noel Mtanga-Lilongwe(6/8/2026)