Malawi women’s national football team, the Scorchers, have made history by qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time after defeating Ghana 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Sunday.

Ghana took an early lead through Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah in the seventh minute, but Malawi quickly responded through Temwa Chawinga, who levelled the scores five minutes later.

The Scorchers continued to fight for the decisive goal and were rewarded in the 79th minute when Rose Kadzere found the back of the net to give Malawi the lead.

Despite Ghana’s late pressure, Malawi held on to secure a historic victory and a place in the WAFCON semi-finals. The result also ended Ghana’s hopes of making a direct return to the World Cup.

Ghana last featured at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2007, making Malawi’s achievement even more remarkable as the Scorchers have secured their maiden World Cup appearance on their first-ever WAFCON campaign.