Malawi’s Scorchers have continued their remarkable run at the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating Ghana 2-1 in the quarter-finals on Sunday to reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history.

The tournament debutants produced another memorable performance, with a dramatic second-half winner from Rose Kadzere completing a comeback that sent Malawi into the last four and secured their qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Malawi’s extraordinary campaign has already seen them overcome defending champions Nigeria and Egypt during the group stage before topping Group C on their maiden WAFCON appearance. Their victory over Ghana now adds another historic chapter to one of the tournament’s most unexpected runs.

The Scorchers have become one of the few debutant nations to reach the WAFCON semi-finals, while simultaneously securing one of Africa’s four automatic places at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

For Ghana, the defeat represents a major setback in their bid to return to the global finals for the first time since 2007. However, the Black Queens’ World Cup hopes are not completely over.

Ghana will now face Côte d’Ivoire in the African play-off, with the winner advancing to the FIFA Women’s World Cup intercontinental play-offs and keeping their hopes of reaching Brazil 2027 alive.

Malawi, meanwhile, can continue dreaming of an unprecedented WAFCON title as their historic journey enters the semi-final stage.