Malawi shock Algeria and Cameroon beat Morocco to reach WAFCON final

Upstart Malawi will face footballing giants Cameroon in the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Sunday.

Malawi beat Algeria 3-1 in the first semifinal match on Wednesday, led by Tabitha Chawinga with a pair of goals. Cameroon won a penalty shootout 3-1 against Morocco after a scoreless draw in the other semi.

All four semifinalists qualified for next summer’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Malawi and Algeria will be making their World Cup debuts.

Morocco will make its second World Cup appearance after reaching the round of 16 in 2023. Cameroon played in the 2015 and 2019 editions.

Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina stopped three attempts by Morocco in the penalty shootout, and Myriam Maéva Nyadjou converted to send Cameroon to the final.

Morocco, in the semifinals for the third time at WAFCON, dominated possession in regulation.

In the second extra time period, Cameroon’s Myriam Maeva Nyadjou fouled Sakina Ouzraouiin in the box. After a video review, Morocco was awarded a penalty kick. But Bihina blocked Fatima Tagnaout’s attempt to keep the match scoreless.

Cameroon beat powerhouse Nigeria 1-0 to reach the semifinals, its second win over Nigeria at WAFCON in 14 meetings.