Malawi vs Zambia preview: Scorchers chasing WAFCON revenge against Copper Queens
When Malawi face Zambia in Wednesday’s decisive Group B clash at the ongoing 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, it will be far more than a battle for Southern African supremacy.
For the Scorchers, it is an opportunity to avenge the heartbreak that denied them a place at the 2022 WAFCON and perhaps take the next step towards realising a dream their neighbours have already achieved, including qualifying for the Brazil 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The two rivals last met in the first round of the WAFCON 2022 qualifiers in October 2021, with Zambia edging an enthralling contest 4-3 on aggregate. The first leg in Lilongwe ended 1-1 after Avell Chitundu Chanda’s opener was cancelled out by Sabina Thom, before Zambia sealed qualification with a dramatic 3-2 victory in Lusaka, inspired by a Racheal Kundananji brace and Margaret Mweemba’s decisive goal.
That triumph proved to be a watershed moment for the Copper Queens. Zambia went on to enjoy a dream WAFCON campaign, finishing third to secure a historic first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification before making their global debut in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
Now, Malawi have the opportunity to follow that same path. The Scorchers have already shown they belong on the biggest stage. On their WAFCON debut, they stunned defending champions Nigeria 2-1 to become the first nation to defeat the Super Falcons on their maiden appearance at the tournament. They also became the first debutants to score three goals against Nigeria at a WAFCON, underlining the fearless mentality that has made them one of Africa’s fastest-rising teams.
At the heart of Malawi’s resurgence are the Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, whose exploits in Europe and the United States have elevated the country’s profile in women’s football. For them, this encounter is about far more than regional bragging rights. It is another opportunity to keep alive Malawi’s ambition of emulating Zambia by qualifying for a first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Standing in their way, however, is a Zambia side packed with world-class quality. Captain Barbra Banda and Kundananji have become two of the world’s most feared and valuable forwards, while the Copper Queens possess the experience of a team that has already conquered the continental stage and competed on the game’s biggest platform.
The subplot is irresistible. Kundananji, whose two goals shattered Malawi’s dreams in Lusaka four years ago, is once again expected to spearhead Zambia’s attack. Opposite her, the Chawinga sisters will be determined to rewrite history and ensure this chapter ends differently.
For Zambia, victory would reinforce their status as Southern Africa’s standard-bearers. For Malawi, it would represent long-awaited revenge, another statement of intent and a significant step towards turning their own World Cup dream into reality, just as the Copper Queens did after ending the Scorchers’ hopes in 2021.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Malawi: Not Safe at the Top
Despite collecting six points from their opening two matches, Malawi are not guaranteed to finish top of Group B.
A victory or a draw against Zambia will secure first place outright. Even a one-goal defeat is expected to leave the Scorchers on top once the three-way head-to-head tiebreak is applied.
However, defeat by two goals or more could dramatically change the picture. Should Nigeria also beat Egypt, Malawi could astonishingly slip from first place to third and crash out of the tournament despite entering the final matchday with maximum points.
Zambia: Victory Is Essential but the Margin Matters
For the Copper Queens, simply beating Malawi may not be enough.
Their clearest route to the quarter-finals is victory over the Scorchers, but the margin could prove decisive. A win by two goals or more, combined with a Nigeria victory over Egypt, would send Zambia through as winners of the three-team mini-table.
A narrow one-goal victory in a low-scoring contest, however, could leave Zambia eliminated, with Malawi and Nigeria progressing on the head-to-head tiebreak. Zambia’s only realistic route through with a one-goal win is if the match is high-scoring, such as 4-3, which would improve their goals-scored record in the mini-league and swing the tiebreak in their favour.
In simple terms, Zambia’s safest route is to win convincingly, or hope Nigeria fail to beat Egypt and avoid a three-way tie altogether.
The final Group B fixtures promise high drama, with every goal capable of reshaping the standings. While Malawi are chasing long-awaited revenge and a step closer to a maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance, Zambia know the difference between qualification and elimination may ultimately come down not just to winning but by how much.
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