Goals from sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga on Wednesday gave tournament outsiders Malawi a 3-1 victory over Algeria, sending them to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations final – after they qualified for the tournament for the first time this year.
Malawi are ranked 153rd in the world and qualified for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament for the first time this year.
They will now face Cameroon on Sunday, after the Indomitable Lionesses defeated hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time.
Malawi took advantage of Algeria's Morgane Belkhiter's red card for a foul on the last defender midway through the first half to build a 2-0 lead at the break.
Captain Tabitha Chawinga struck with an overhead kick on 33 minutes after a corner, and Temwa Chawinga rounded goalkeeper Chloe N'Gazi to score one minute into added time.
Having scored twice, Malawi were also reduced to 10 players when Rose Kadzere was sent off for a studs-up tackle just before the break.
Algeria pulled one goal back on 60 minutes through Ikram Adjabi. only for Tabitha Chawinga to restore the two-goal advantage with a solo goal after 76 minutes.
Kansas City-based Temwa Chawinga has struck five goals in the marquee African women's football tournament to be joint leading scorer. Tabitha, from French club Lyon, has netted four times.
After conceding a third time, there was no way back for Algeria, who must settle for the third-place play-off against Morocco on Saturday.
On Sunday, Malawi and Cameroon will do battle with a record $2 million (€1.7 million) first prize on the line.
By reaching the WAFCON semi-finals, Malawi, Algeria, Morocco and Cameroon have also qualified for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
(with AFP)
