Siblings Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga have become the primary catalysts for Malawi’s extraordinary 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign, guiding the Scorchers to a final appearance in their inaugural tournament entry.
Malawi kicked off the competition by upsetting defending champions Nigeria 3-2, followed by a 3-1 win over Egypt to clear the group stage. A subsequent 2-1 comeback victory against Ghana in the quarter-finals earned the nation its first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification.
The duo’s path to professional football began in Rumphi, northern Malawi, where they initially played with boys. Their talent eventually led them to DD Sunshine in Lilongwe, launching a career that would take them to global stages.
Temwa credits her sister, Tabitha, for paving the way for her success. Tabitha took a major risk to support Temwa’s career, covering her travel expenses and visa costs to secure a trial with a Swedish club. That investment proved fruitful, as Temwa blossomed into an elite forward who has played in China and the United States, notably earning the NWSL Golden Boot and MVP title with Kansas City Current.
Tabitha has also enjoyed a standout career, becoming the first African top scorer in Italy’s Serie A while at Inter Milan before joining the French club Lyon. The sisters now utilize this extensive international experience to lead the Malawi national team.
In the semi-final match against Algeria, the pair was unstoppable. Tabitha scored in the 33rd minute, followed by a goal from Temwa before the break. Despite an Algerian goal in the second half, Tabitha struck again in the 76th minute to finalize a 3-1 win. With three goals between them, the sisters secured Malawi’s place in the WAFCON final against Cameroon.
