Malawi's historic journey to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final has been powered by the remarkable performances of sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga. The siblings have been instrumental in Malawi’s first-ever appearance at the tournament, combining for nine of the nation’s 12 goals so far.

From Malawi to Global Football Stages

Both sisters have built impressive professional careers abroad before reuniting to lead Malawi on the continental stage.

  • Tabitha Chawinga, 30, broke new ground as the first Malawian woman to play professional football in Europe when she joined Sweden’s Krokom/Dvärsätts IF in 2014. She quickly made her mark with prolific goal-scoring, helping Kvarnsvedens IK earn promotion to Sweden’s top division.
  • Her career took her to China’s Jiangsu Suning and Wuhan Jianghan University before returning to Europe to play for Inter Milan, where she was Serie A’s top scorer in 2022-23. In 2023, she joined Paris Saint-Germain, netting 19 league goals and earning the French league’s Player of the Season award. In 2024, she moved to Lyon and became the first Malawian nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
  • Temwa Chawinga, 26, followed her sister’s path, starting in Sweden and moving to China, where she further honed her attacking skills. In 2024, she joined the National Women’s Soccer League’s Kansas City Current in the United States, quickly breaking the league’s single-season scoring record with 20 goals and winning both the Golden Boot and MVP awards. She repeated this feat in 2025, becoming the first player to earn consecutive MVP honors in NWSL history and securing a contract extension through 2029.

Impact on Malawi’s WAFCON Campaign

The sisters’ synergy has been a key factor in Malawi’s success. They played pivotal roles in landmark victories, including a stunning 3-2 win over defending champions Nigeria and a 3-1 semifinal triumph against Algeria. Temwa currently leads the tournament scoring charts alongside Zambia’s Barbra Banda with five goals, while Tabitha has four.

Malawi’s breakthrough run has secured qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with the sisters’ international experience proving invaluable in navigating high-level competition. They now face Cameroon in the final on August 16 at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium, both teams pursuing their maiden WAFCON title.

Significance for Malawian Women’s Football

The Chawinga sisters symbolize the rise of women’s football in Malawi amid challenges of limited resources and opportunities. Their success abroad and leadership at home inspire a new generation of female athletes, marking a transformative moment for the sport nationally.