Banda, Chawinga lead early Golden Boot race

Zambia's Barbra Banda and Malawi's Temwa Chawinga are leading the race for the Golden Boot at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Banda has scored four goals and provided one assist, while Chawinga scored three goals and added a stoppage-time winner.

Banda's heroics included a penalty, a second-half penalty, a header, and a late goal in Zambia's 6-0 victory over Egypt. Chawinga, on the other hand, shocked the world by scoring a hat-trick as debutants Malawi upset 10-time champions Nigeria 3-2. This included a goalmouth scramble hat-trick and a late winner.

Chawinga and Banda have yet to score in their subsequent group stage games. Cameroon's Marie Ngah Manga leads in goals scored with three, despite not providing any assists. Meanwhile, hosts Morocco have dominated their group, winning both matches without conceding a goal.