The Scorchers flew home on Wednesday 19 August after losing the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final 3 to 0 to Cameroon, ending a run that has taken Malawi to a first World Cup and produced the tournament’s leading scorer.
Lovemore Fazili’s side went out of the final in Rabat on Sunday 16 August without ever settling, but the result does not define the three weeks that preceded it. Malawi beat Nigeria 3 to 2 and Egypt 3 to 1 in the group, losing only to Zambia, then knocked out Ghana 2 to 1 in the quarter final and Algeria 3 to 1 in the semi final. It is the first WAFCON final in the country’s history.
The quarter final is the one that will be remembered longest. Beating Ghana secured Malawi a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, the first time the country has qualified for a senior World Cup in any code of football. Temwa Chawinga finished the tournament as top scorer with five goals and two assists, taking the Golden Boot back to a country that has spent years exporting players without much continental return.
The practical questions now are about money and preparation rather than glory. A World Cup cycle costs more than a WAFCON campaign, and Malawi will need friendlies against opposition it rarely gets to face. Several figures have circulated in the local press this week about prize money and outstanding player bonuses; none of them are confirmed by the Football Association of Malawi, which has published nothing on the final, so AXN Sports is not repeating them until someone puts a signature to a number.
Where to bet: Malawian punters following the Scorchers to Brazil will find outright and qualifying markets in kwacha at Premier Bet, licensed by the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority, alongside the usual match result, over and under and correct score on the domestic league. Deposits go through Airtel Money and Mpamba. World Cup outrights posted this far out move a lot, so treat early prices as a guide rather than a signal. Our guide to the best betting sites in Malawi covers licensing and payout times, and there is more in Malawi soccer news from AXN Sports. 18+. Gamble responsibly.
