Two sisters behind Malawi’s rise

The Chawinga name became one of the biggest stories at the start of the 2026 WAFCON.

Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga led Malawi to a historic 3-2 victory over Nigeria in the Scorchers’ first match in the final stage of Africa’s premier women’s tournament.

Temwa scored twice and Tabitha added another to complete a family performance that allowed the debutants to defeat the most successful powerhouse in the history of the competition.

Tabitha Chawinga

Tabitha Chawinga is the older sister and captain of the Malawi national team.

The forward became one of the first major international stars in her country’s women’s football after building a career that took her through several leagues in Europe and Asia.

Tabitha currently plays for OL Lyonnes in France, one of the most important clubs in European women’s football. She joined the club in 2024 after a loan spell with Paris Saint-Germain.

Her career also includes experiences in Sweden, China and Italy, a journey that allowed her to become a role model for new generations of Malawian footballers.

Temwa Chawinga

Temwa Chawinga

The younger sister and one of the most dominant forwards in the NWSL.

The Kansas City Current attacker turned her arrival in American football into a historic chapter. During her first season, in 2024, she scored 20 goals, surpassed Sam Kerr’s previous record of 18 and was awarded both the Golden Boot and the Most Valuable Player award.

She also became the first player to score against all 13 league opponents in a single season.

Temwa retained the Golden Boot in 2025 and became the first player to win back-to-back NWSL MVP awards. Her rise led Kansas City Current to extend her contract through 2029.

A shared path to the elite

The Chawinga sisters grew up in Malawi and built careers that once seemed difficult to imagine in a country that had never previously reached the final stage of the WAFCON.

Nigeria arrived not only as the defending champion, but also as the most successful national team in WAFCON history. The Super Falcons won 10 of the 13 editions played before the 2026 tournament, a level of dominance unmatched in African women’s football.

A victory that goes beyond the result

The performance showed that Malawi did not travel to Morocco merely to celebrate its first qualification. In the Chawinga sisters, the Scorchers found a competitive edge capable of leveling matches against teams with greater experience and depth.

The victory also added a new dimension to both players’ stories. After building successful careers with international clubs, Temwa and Tabitha carried their influence into the national team and delivered the most important result in the history of Malawian women’s football.