Cameroon and Malawi secured their places in the semifinals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Sunday, ending the tournament runs of Nigeria and Ghana respectively and guaranteeing themselves spots at the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
In Casablanca, Cameroon pulled off a major upset against Nigeria — a ten-time continental champion and perennial favourite — with a 1-0 victory. Nineteen-year-old Myriam Nyadjou settled the tie in the 19th minute, curling a thunderous free kick into the top left corner of the net, the only area left unguarded by the Nigerian defensive wall. Despite dominating possession and generating several chances, Nigeria could not find an equaliser. Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina was outstanding for Cameroon, producing a series of crucial saves including a one-handed stop to deny Uchenna Kanu. Nigeria's cause was further hampered by the first-half injury withdrawal of forward Rinsola Babajide, and Esther Okoronkwo squandered a late chance that would have levelled the score. It is the first time Nigeria has failed to reach the WAFCON semifinals. For Cameroon, the win marked only their second victory over Nigeria in 14 meetings at the tournament and books their 11th semifinal appearance and third Women's World Cup participation, after 2015 and 2019.
In an equally dramatic encounter in Rabat, Morocco's capital, Malawi — ranked 153rd in the world and competing in their first-ever WAFCON — came from behind to beat Ghana 2-1. Ghana, a three-time WAFCON runner-up and ranked 91 places above Malawi, took the lead through Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah's volley in the seventh minute. Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chaŵinga equalised five minutes later with a precise strike. The winner came in the 79th minute when Rose Kadzere received Chaŵinga's through ball, held off a defender, and slid a cool finish past Ghana's goalkeeper. The result caps a remarkable group stage for Malawi, who had already beaten Nigeria 3-2 and Egypt 3-1 before losing narrowly to Zambia, yet still topped their group.
The tournament, hosted by Morocco, doubles as a World Cup qualifier: all four semifinalists advance automatically to Brazil 2027. Malawi and Algeria — who also reached the last four — will both be making their Women's World Cup debuts. Cameroon will face hosts Morocco in one semifinal on Wednesday, while Malawi take on Algeria in the other, both in Rabat.
Nations eliminated at the quarterfinal stage are not yet out of World Cup contention. Nigeria face South Africa and Ghana face Ivory Coast on Thursday, with the two winners progressing to a ten-team intercontinental playoff competition held in two rounds — November–December 2026 and a decisive final stage in February 2027 — which offers additional African berths at the global tournament.