Cameroon and Malawi produced major upsets at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, eliminating defending champions Nigeria and Ghana respectively to reach the semifinals and secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The results marked a historic night for both nations. Malawi, appearing at the WAFCON finals for the first time, secured its first-ever World Cup qualification, while Cameroon ended Nigeria’s remarkable run of reaching every previous WAFCON semifinal. The 2026 tournament features 16 teams and runs from July 26 to August 16 in Morocco.
Cameroon edged Nigeria 1-0 in Casablanca, with 19-year-old Myriam Nyadjou Wamen scoring the decisive goal in the 19th minute. Nyadjou produced a superb free kick that found the top-left corner, giving goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie little chance. Nigeria, the reigning African champions and a record 10-time WAFCON winner, controlled large portions of the match and created several opportunities. Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, however, delivered a standout performance to preserve her side’s advantage.
Bihina made a crucial one-handed save to deny Uchenna Kanu’s header, while Nigeria’s late pressure failed to produce an equaliser. Esther Okoronkwo also missed a late opportunity after a defensive mistake, sending her effort narrowly wide. The defeat ends Nigeria’s long-standing record of reaching the WAFCON semifinals and leaves the Super Falcons needing the playoff route to keep their 2027 World Cup hopes alive. Cameroon, meanwhile, advances to its 11th WAFCON semifinal and will face hosts Morocco on Wednesday.
In Rabat, tournament debutants Malawi stunned Ghana 2-1 to reach the semifinals and qualify for the Women’s World Cup for the first time. Ghana took an early lead when Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah volleyed into the far corner, but Malawi responded quickly through star forward Temwa Chawinga. Chawinga levelled the match before playing a key role in the winning goal. Her pass set up Rose Kadzere, who controlled the ball and calmly finished to put Malawi ahead. The Scorchers held on to secure one of the biggest victories in the country’s women’s football history. Malawi had already made headlines earlier in the tournament by defeating Nigeria 3-2 in the group stage, with Temwa Chawinga scoring twice and her sister Tabitha Chawinga also finding the net. Malawi will now meet Algeria in Wednesday’s semifinal in Rabat.
The four WAFCON semifinalists automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four quarterfinal losers, meanwhile, enter a playoff for two places in the intercontinental playoff tournament. Nigeria will face South Africa on Thursday, while Ghana takes on Côte d’Ivoire. The winners will continue their pursuit of a place at the 2027 global tournament. For Malawi, however, the historic breakthrough is already complete: the Scorchers have reached the semifinals on their debut and secured their first-ever Women’s World Cup qualification.
