Ghana’s Black Queens have been knocked off the direct route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. But their dream of reaching Brazil is still alive after Malawi ended their WAFCON semi-final hopes with a dramatic 2-1 quarter-final win.
Malawi produced one of the biggest shocks of the tournament. Ghana took the lead, but Temwa Chawinga levelled the game before Rose Kadzere struck late to send the Black Queens crashing out.
The defeat was painful for Ghana. A place in the WAFCON semi-finals would have brought automatic World Cup qualification, but the loss means the Black Queens must now take the longer road.
That road begins on August 13 against Côte d’Ivoire. The Ivorians also missed out on a semi-final place after Algeria came from behind to win 2-1, setting up a huge West African battle for another chance at Brazil.
The stakes could hardly be higher. Ghana must win to have a chance of playing in Brazil, while defeat will end their hopes of reaching the 2027 World Cup.
The other African play-off will see Nigeria face South Africa. Nigeria fell 1-0 to Cameroon, while hosts Morocco beat South Africa 2-1 to secure their own place in the last four.
Algeria, Cameroon, Malawi and Morocco have already booked their World Cup places. Their semi-final appearances guarantee four of Africa’s six available spots at the expanded 32-team tournament.
Malawi’s achievement has been particularly striking. Ranked 153rd in the world, they stunned Ghana and now face Algeria in the WAFCON semi-finals.
For Ghana, the message is simple. One defeat changed the route, but it did not end the journey.
The Black Queens now need to respond when the pressure is at its highest. Brazil 2027 is still within reach, but there is no room for another slip.
