Malawi Beat Ghana to Secure Historic First Women’s World Cup Qualification

Malawi Beat Ghana to Secure Historic First Women’s World Cup Qualification

MALAWI have secured a historic place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time after defeating Ghana 2-1 in a dramatic quarter-final clash at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Ghana took an early lead in the seventh minute through English-born striker Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, putting the Black Queens in a strong position to progress to the semi-finals.

However, Malawi responded strongly, with Temwa Chawinga drawing her side level in the 12th minute.

The game remained tightly contested until the 79th minute when Rose Kadzere scored the decisive goal to complete Malawi’s comeback and secure their historic World Cup qualification.

The victory means Malawi will make their first-ever appearance at the Women’s World Cup.

Malawi have joined Algeria, Cameroon and hosts Morocco as Africa’s four automatic qualifiers for next year’s 32-team FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four WAFCON quarter-final winners were guaranteed automatic qualification.

Malawi will face Algeria in the first WAFCON semi-final on Wednesday, while hosts Morocco will take on Cameroon in the other semi-final.

Cameroon earlier caused a major upset by defeating defending champions Nigeria 1-0 in Casablanca. Myriam Nyadjou, 19, scored a stunning long-range free-kick to send Cameroon into the semi-finals and secure their World Cup ticket.

Nigeria, who had qualified for all nine previous editions of the Women’s World Cup, will now have to pursue qualification through a play-off route that could provide Africa with two additional places at the tournament.

Ghana’s defeat also means the Black Queens will miss out on the semi-finals and their hopes of winning the continental title have been ended.

The WAFCON final is scheduled to take place next Sunday in Rabat, Morocco.

Source:Bibianinews.com