Temwa Chawinga played a key role as Malawi secured a second successive victory at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026, beating Egypt 3-1 to move closer to the quarter-finals.
Malawi followed their surprise win over reigning champions Nigeria with another composed performance in Saturday’s Group C meeting.
The Scorchers took control of the contest with a strong first-half display, although Egypt created the opening meaningful opportunity. Christina Salama fired wide in the 16th minute after finding space in the Malawi defence.
Malawi responded soon afterwards when Faith Chinzimu broke in behind the Egyptian back line. Her attempt to reach the ball was stopped by the advancing goalkeeper.
Chawinga then went close to opening the scoring herself. The forward struck a powerful effort which Egypt’s goalkeeper managed to tip behind for a corner.
The breakthrough arrived in the 35th minute, with Chawinga again at the centre of Malawi’s attacking move. She produced a precisely weighted pass into the path of Rose Kadzere, who kept her composure to finish from close range.
Malawi added a second goal before half-time. Chinzimu was quickest to react after her initial header had been saved, meeting the loose ball with a volley to give the Scorchers a two-goal advantage at the interval.
Egypt returned from the break with greater purpose and were given an opportunity to fight back when Malawi were reduced to 10 players. Rose Alufandika was sent off after fouling Habiba Hafez, who had raced through towards goal.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Malawi refused to retreat completely. They continued to pose a threat when breaking forward and increased their lead in the 68th minute.
This time, Kadzere supplied the decisive pass. Her clever delivery found Chawinga, whose looping header travelled over the advancing goalkeeper and into the net.
Egypt responded almost immediately. Substitute Eman Kassem made an instant impact, scoring with a well-taken header to reduce the deficit.
The North Africans continued to press in search of a second goal, but Malawi’s organised defence held firm. The Scorchers also remained dangerous on the counter-attack, with Chawinga continuing to lead their forward threat.
The result leaves Malawi with six points from their opening two Group C matches. Their campaign began with a memorable victory over the reigning champions, before Saturday’s win strengthened their position in the race for the last eight.
Malawi’s final Group C fixture will be against Zambia next Wednesday.
Egypt, meanwhile, face the reigning champions in their next match and must secure a positive result if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.
