Cameroon and Malawi reach the semifinals in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

Cameroon shocked defending champion Nigeria and Malawi stunned Ghana to reach the semifinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday and seal World Cup qualification.

Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina excelled and her team held on as the 19-year-old Myriam Nyadjou’s early goal was enough for the Indomitable Lionesses’ 1-0 win over 10-time champion Nigeria.

It’s the first time that Nigeria has failed to reach the semifinals, where Cameroon will face host nation Morocco on Wednesday.

But the Super Falcons will also rue missing the chance to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. All four semifinalists qualify automatically for the tournament in Brazil, while Nigeria and the other losing quarterfinal teams play on Thursday with two spots in an intercontinental playoff tournament up for grabs.

Malawi makes history

Malawi, playing its first WAFCON tournament, clinched World Cup qualification for the first time thanks to a starring performance from Temwa Chaŵinga, who scored one goal and set up the other in a 2-1 win over Ghana in Rabat.

“I’m quite excited!” the Kansas City Current forward said about her team’s historic feat.

Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah got Ghana off to a great start with a volley inside the far post, but Chaŵinga promptly replied with a fine strike of her own.

Rose Kadzere scored the winner late when she took Chaŵinga’s pass by a defender with her first touch and slid the ball past the goalkeeper with her next.

Malawi, which defeated Nigeria 3-2 in their first group game, next faces Algeria in Rabat on Wednesday.

Redemption for Cameroon

Cameroon had played Nigeria 13 times before at the Women’s Africa Cup and only won once before Sunday’s match in Casablanca.

Nyadjou scored in the 19th minute with a thunderous free kick straight into the top left corner. It was the only part of the goal left unguarded by the Nigerian defenders’ wall.

Nigeria had dominated possession and created more chances, keeping Bihina busy.

Nigeria was dealt another blow toward the end of the first half when star forward Rinsola Babajide had to go off injured.

Nigeria kept pushing after the break, however, and Bihina kept showcasing her skills to thwart the Super Falcons. She produced a fine one-handed save to stop a header from Uchenna Kanu, and others

Esther Okoronkwo missed a great chance to equalize in stoppage time after a defensive error, shooting just wide of the far post when the better-placed Asisat Oshoala would have had an easy finish.

It will be Cameroon’s 11th WAFCON semifinal, and ensured its third World Cup participation after previous appearances in 2015 and 2019.

Last World Cup hopes

Nigeria will play South Africa and Ghana will face Ivory Coast in Casablanca on Thursday with the winners advancing to the Women’s World Cup intercontinental playoffs.