For the first time in its history, Malawi qualifies for the FIFA Women's World Cup

Malawi continued their stunning run in their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations appearance, coming from behind to beat Ghana 2-1 in the quarter-finals on Sunday and qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history.

Rose Kadziri scored the winning goal in the 79th minute, after Temwa Chawinga had equalized in the 12th minute, following Ghana’s early lead in the seventh minute through English-born striker Shantel Boy-Holoka.

Malawi thus joined Algeria, Cameroon, and Morocco as the four African teams to qualify directly for next year’s World Cup in Brazil, which will feature 32 teams. The four winners of the quarter-finals in the Africa Cup of Nations secured automatic World Cup berths.

Malawi will face Algeria in the first semi-final on Wednesday, followed by a match between host nation Morocco and Cameroon, who produced a surprise yesterday by defeating defending champions Nigeria 1-0 in Casablanca.

Algeria beat Ivory Coast 2-1, and Morocco defeated South Africa by the same scoreline in their respective quarter-final matches last Saturday.

Their defeat means there will be a new Africa Cup of Nations women’s champion next week. The final will be held next Sunday in Rabat.