Malawi’s unexpected run to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final has been driven by sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, who have scored nine of the team’s 12 goals. Their form has taken the tournament debutants, ranked 153rd in the world, to within one match of a first continental title against Cameroon, highlighting both their individual quality and Malawi’s rise on the international stage.

Tabitha, 30, overcame early opposition to playing football and became the first Malawian woman to play in Europe, later winning titles and individual awards in Sweden, China, Italy and France with clubs including PSG and Lyon. Temwa, 27, is joint top scorer at the finals with five goals alongside Zambia’s Barbra Banda, and has established herself as a prolific forward for Kansas City Current in the United States.