Malawi's Chawinga Sisters Chase Wafcon Glory

The fairytale run of Malawi at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations has a familiar source of magic: the Chawinga sisters, whose goals have propelled the tournament debutants to the brink of history.

Chawinga Sisters Lead Malawi's Historic Final Bid

Rabat, Morocco - The dream continues. Malawi, the lowest-ranked team at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, stand one match from continental immortality, and the architects of this dream are two sisters from the northern hills of Rumphi. Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga have scored nine of Malawi's 12 goals in Morocco, turning a team of debutants into finalists. On Sunday, they face three-time runners-up Cameroon for the title, a prospect that seemed impossible when the tournament began.

Malawi's Unlikely Fairytale

Ranked 153rd in the world, Malawi arrived at these finals as the rank outsiders. No one gave the Scorchers a chance. Yet they have dismantled expectations with a blend of pace, power and precision that has left the continent watching in awe. Their opener set the tone: a stunning upset of 10-time champions Nigeria. They then finished above 2022 semi-finalists Zambia in Group C, before coming from behind to beat Ghana 2-1 in the quarter-finals - a result that sealed qualification for next year's Fifa Women's World Cup.

The semi-final against Algeria brought more of the same, with both Chawinga sisters finding the net. "I'm so happy because a lot of people didn't give us a chance at this level, but we showed the world that we have a good team," Temwa said after the match. Now, only Cameroon stand between Malawi and becoming just the fourth nation to win the Wafcon title, after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.

From a Plastic Ball in Rumphi to the World Stage

Tabitha Chawinga was born on 22 May 1996 in Rumphi district, a region better known for its rolling landscapes than its footballers. She began playing as a child with boys in her village, using a ball made of plastic or paper. "Growing up, I never saw myself as different from boys," she told the BBC. "Whatever they did I believed I could."

That belief was hard-won. Her family faced ridicule from neighbours who mocked her ambitions. "My mum beat me because she was embarrassed," Tabitha recalled. "People would provoke my mum: 'Look at your daughter - maybe she will not be married in the future. Your daughter, she doesn't want to go to school.' Even my friends said: 'No women can play football in this world'."

Tabitha persisted, moving to the capital Lilongwe to join DD Sunshine. Her talent was undeniable, but the path to professional football required a leap of faith. In 2014, an American NGO worker who had played at DD Sunshine relocated to Sweden and joined third-tier side Krokom Dvarsatts. DD Sunshine owner David Dube suggested the Swedes try out Tabitha. When they hesitated, Dube offered to pay for her visa and flights. "I joined the team and they were immediately impressed with my strength, dribbling, shooting from far and scoring skills," she said.

Tabitha's Trailblazing European Journey

Tabitha became the first Malawian woman to play in Europe, and she did not merely participate - she dominated. At Krokom Dvarsatts, she scored 39 times in 14 games. A move to second-tier Kvarnsveden brought 43 goals and promotion, followed by the Swedish top flight's golden boot in 2017. Then came China, where she won three league titles and three golden boots, and a loan at Inter Milan in 2022-23 that yielded the Serie A golden boot.

"My goal is to achieve for African people," she said after that feat. "I need to play for the girls in Africa. They need to see there are women in this world that can play football like men."

Paris St-Germain came next, where she became the first woman from Malawi to play and score in the Uefa Champions League in 2023. Now at Lyon, she has added back-to-back domestic titles and 11 goals last season, though the French side fell to Barcelona in the Champions League final. Her journey has been one of constant firsts, each step breaking ground for the next generation.

Temwa: A Name That Means Love, a Career That Commands Respect

Born on 20 September 1998, Temwa - whose name means 'love' in Tumbuka - followed the trail her sister blazed. Tabitha was "instrumental" in her career, recommending her to Kvarnsveden and later to Chinese clubs. "She made connections for me to leave Malawi to play abroad, but most importantly has always advised me to fight hard, to know what I want and to pursue it without listening to distracting people," Temwa said.

Temwa's numbers are staggering. She scored 35 league goals in Sweden in 2019, then helped Wuhan Jianghan win four consecutive Chinese titles. In 2023, she was the world's top goalscorer of the calendar year, outscoring Erling Haaland, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi with 51 club goals plus 12 for Malawi. "When I found out I was so happy. I didn't believe it, but it was so amazing," she said.

Kansas City Current brought her to America's National Women's Soccer League, where she was top scorer in her debut 2024 season with 20 goals, added 15 more last year, and was named league MVP in both campaigns. Yet despite this remarkable consistency, neither sister has been named African Women's Footballer of the Year - a fact that speaks to the recognition they are still fighting for.

Breaking Barriers, Inspiring a Nation

The sisters' impact extends far beyond the pitch. In Malawi, where girls' football receives minimal investment, they are proof that talent can flourish even in the most unlikely circumstances. Malawi FA boss Fleetwood Haiya credits Fifa funds for supporting the women's side, but both sisters have called for more. "If we can put money in Malawi to support girls' football I think there can be so many like me and Tabitha," Temwa said.

Their story resonates across the continent, from Senegal to South Africa, as a reminder that African women can reach the very top of world football. Tabitha, who usually captains the Scorchers, has been a vocal leader throughout the tournament. "I've been playing big games in Europe, but I tell the girls 'Don't be shy, don't be scared'," she said before the finals began. Her words have proven prophetic.

A Final That Could Change Everything

Sunday's final against Cameroon at 19:00 GMT is more than a football match. It is the culmination of a journey that began with a plastic ball in a village and now reaches the continental summit. Cameroon, three-time runners-up, are formidable opponents, but Malawi have already shown they fear no one.

Temwa leads the golden boot race with five strikes alongside Zambia's Barbra Banda, and the sisters have scored nine of Malawi's 12 goals. If they lift the trophy, they will etch their names into African football history. But regardless of the result, the Chawinga sisters have already achieved something profound: they have shown the girls of Africa that their dreams are valid, their ambitions are achievable, and their place on the world stage is deserved.

For Tabitha, the mission has always been bigger than personal glory. "I need to play for the girls in Africa," she said. On Sunday, she and her sister will play for all of them.

By Amara Diop, Staff Writer

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Sources: BBC Sport.