WAFCON 2026: Nigerian referee Akintoye to handle Algeria vs Malawi clash

Malawi's impressive run in the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) can largely be attributed to the exceptional performances of the Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa. At just 30 and 27 years old respectively, the sisters have already established themselves as national heroes and global stars, despite their respective countries being underdogs in the tournament.

Tabitha, the elder sister by nine years, began playing football with boys in her native Rumphi district as a child using makeshift balls made of plastic or paper. She faced numerous obstacles, including disapproval from her mother and friends, who doubted her ability to succeed in a male-dominated sport. Despite these challenges, Tabitha persevered, moving to the capital Lilongwe to join DD Sunshine in 2014.

This move marked the beginning of her international career, as she quickly adapted to European football and helped her team secure promotion to higher leagues. Tabitha's impressive goal-scoring record led her to sign with Paris St-Germain and later to Lyon, where she became the first Malawian woman to play and score in the UEFA Champions League.

Her success in Europe has been mirrored in China, where she spent a six-year stint with Wuhan Jianghan, winning three league titles, three golden boots, and two player of the season awards.

Temwa, born in 1998, followed in Tabitha's footsteps after she encouraged her to pursue a career in football. The two sisters have played together for several clubs, including DD Sunshine and Kvarnsveden, where Temwa helped the team win promotion to higher divisions and was the top scorer in the Swedish top flight in 2017. Temwa's skills have also been recognized in China, where she helped Wuhan Jianghan secure four consecutive league titles, including the 2021 edition alongside her sister.

Her remarkable goal-scoring feat in 2023, scoring 51 goals for her Chinese club and 12 for Malawi, earned her the title of the world's top goalscorer of the year. Temwa's impressive performances have not gone unnoticed, as she was recently named to the NWSL's top scorer list in America. Despite their individual successes, neither sister has yet received the prestigious African Women's Footballer of the Year award.

However, both have consistently delivered outstanding performances at the international level since making their debuts for Malawi in 2011 and 2016. The sisters' achievements have been driven by their unwavering determination, faith, and support from each other, making them the driving force behind Malawi's surprising Wafcon success.