Malawi Women produced a memorable performance to defeat Ghana Women 2-1 in the Africa Cup of Nations Women quarter-finals, with Rose Kadzere scoring the decisive goal in the 79th minute.
The contest delivered almost everything expected from knockout football: an early Ghana goal, a quick Malawi response, a disallowed goal following a video review and, ultimately, a late winner.
For Kenyan football fans following the Africa Cup of Nations Women, the result provides another reminder of the increasingly competitive nature of women’s football across the continent.
Ghana Strike First Through Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah
Ghana made an excellent start and needed only seven minutes to break the deadlock.
Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah put Ghana 1-0 ahead, giving the Black Queens the early advantage and immediately forcing Malawi to chase the game.
The lead did not last long.
Just five minutes later, Malawi responded through one of their biggest attacking threats, Temwa Chawinga.
Chawinga found the net in the 12th minute to restore parity at 1-1, setting the stage for a fiercely contested quarter-final.
Neither side managed another goal before the interval, meaning the teams headed into half-time level.
Half-time: Malawi Women 1-1 Ghana Women.
Video Review Denies Ghana a Second Goal
The second half brought one of the game’s biggest turning points.
Ghana thought they had regained the lead in the 54th minute through Doris Boaduwaa, but the goal was subsequently disallowed following a video review.
Instead of Ghana moving 2-1 ahead, the score remained level.
As the match progressed, Ghana attempted to change the complexion of the contest with substitutions. Evelyn Badu replaced Princella Adubea in the 70th minute, while Wasiima Mohammed came on for Jennifer Cudjoe and Princess Marfo replaced Alice Kusi.
Malawi also turned to their bench, introducing Vanessa Chikupila for Asimenye Simwaka in the 75th minute.
With the possibility of elimination looming, every opportunity became increasingly important.
Rose Kadzere Scores Malawi’s Decisive Winner
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 79th minute.
Rose Kadzere struck to put Malawi 2-1 ahead, with Temwa Chawinga providing the assist.
It proved to be the defining moment of the quarter-final.
Chawinga had already scored Malawi’s equalizer and then played a direct role in the winner, making her one of the central figures in Malawi’s victory.
Ghana responded almost immediately with further changes. Abigail Kim replaced Doris Boaduwaa, while Benedicte Simon came on for Comfort Yeboah in the 80th minute as the Black Queens searched for another equalizer.
Malawi, however, protected their advantage.
Tendai Sani later replaced Kadzere in the 89th minute as Malawi looked to see out the closing stages.
They succeeded.
Full-time: Malawi Women 2-1 Ghana Women.
Temwa Chawinga Makes the Difference
While Kadzere scored the winning goal, Temwa Chawinga’s influence was crucial.
Her 12th-minute equalizer prevented Ghana from building on their early advantage, while her assist for Kadzere’s winner completed an impressive attacking contribution.
Temwa Chawinga’s match impact:
- 12′ – Scores Malawi’s equalizer
- 79′ – Assists Rose Kadzere’s winning goal
- Directly involved in both Malawi goals
In a knockout match decided by fine margins, that level of influence proved decisive.
Malawi vs Ghana: Key Match Moments
| Minute | Match Event |
| 7′ | Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah scores for Ghana – 0-1 |
| 12′ | Temwa Chawinga equalizes for Malawi – 1-1 |
| HT | Malawi 1-1 Ghana |
| 54′ | Doris Boaduwaa goal disallowed after video review |
| 75′ | Vanessa Chikupila replaces Asimenye Simwaka |
| 79′ | Rose Kadzere scores, assisted by Temwa Chawinga – 2-1 |
| 80′ | Ghana make two attacking substitutions |
| 89′ | Tendai Sani replaces Rose Kadzere |
| FT | Malawi Women 2-1 Ghana Women |
What Malawi’s Victory Means
Malawi’s 2-1 victory sends them through to the quarter-final and keeps their Africa Cup of Nations Women campaign alive.
More importantly, the manner of the victory demonstrates their resilience.
Malawi fell behind after only seven minutes but responded within five. They remained competitive throughout the second half before taking their opportunity when Kadzere struck in the 79th minute.
Ghana, meanwhile, will be left wondering what might have happened had their 54th-minute effort survived the video review.
Knockout football often comes down to a handful of decisive moments, and Malawi ultimately made theirs count.
Follow African Football Action with Bangbet.com
As women’s football continues to attract greater attention across Africa, Kenyan fans have more reasons than ever to follow the continent’s biggest matches. Bangbet offers football enthusiasts a platform to keep up with sporting action and explore available betting markets across selected competitions. Fans in Kenya who choose to bet should always do so responsibly, set clear spending limits, and treat betting as entertainment rather than a source of income. Bet responsibly. 18+ only.
Final Verdict
Malawi Women’s 2-1 victory over Ghana Women was a classic knockout encounter decided by determination, crucial moments and late attacking quality.
Ghana drew first blood through Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah in the seventh minute, but Temwa Chawinga needed only five minutes to restore parity. Ghana then saw a second-half goal disallowed before Malawi delivered the decisive blow.
Rose Kadzere’s 79th-minute winner, assisted by Chawinga, ultimately separated the teams.
For Malawi, the journey continues. For Ghana, a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations Women campaign comes to an end.
Final Score: Malawi Women 2-1 Ghana Women
Goalscorers: Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah (Ghana, 7′), Temwa Chawinga (Malawi, 12′), Rose Kadzere (Malawi, 79′).
