FROM UNDERDOGS TO WAFCON FINALISTS: OLIVIA PHIKANI AND ESTHER MAULIDI MAKE HISTORY WITH MALAWI
JCC Football Agency celebrates two of its clients on an extraordinary journey to the 2026 WAFCON Final
There are moments in football when a team stops being an underdog and becomes part of history.
For the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has become exactly that moment.
And at the heart of this remarkable story are two JCC Football Agency clients — Olivia Phikani and Esther Maulidi — who have been part of the Malawi squad throughout a historic campaign that has taken the Scorchers all the way to the WAFCON final.
For a team making its first-ever appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Malawi have defied expectations at every stage of the tournament.
At JCC Football Agency, we are incredibly proud to see Olivia and Esther representing their country on one of the biggest stages in African football.
🇲🇼 A Historic Beginning
Before the tournament began, Malawi were competing at their first WAFCON finals, entering a group containing some of Africa’s most established women’s football nations.
Their Group C opponents were defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, and regional rivals Zambia.
Few would have predicted the journey that followed.
But the Scorchers announced themselves immediately.
Malawi 3–2 Nigeria
In their opening match, Malawi produced one of the biggest shocks of the tournament by defeating defending champions Nigeria 3–2.
The Chawinga sisters — Tabitha and Temwa — were instrumental, with Temwa scoring twice and Tabitha adding another goal.
It was more than a victory.
It was a statement.
Malawi had arrived.
🔥 The Scorchers Keep Believing
The momentum continued in their second group match when Malawi defeated Egypt 3–1.
Two victories from their opening two matches put the debutants in an excellent position to reach the knockout stages.
The final group match against Zambia brought another dramatic chapter.
Malawi suffered a 2–1 defeat, with Tabitha Chawinga scoring Malawi’s goal.
Despite the loss, the Scorchers progressed to the quarter-finals after the complicated three-team tiebreaker involving Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia.
Malawi ultimately finished top of Group C and advanced to the knockout stage.
The dream was becoming a reality.
🏆 Quarter-Final: Malawi 2–1 Ghana
The next challenge was Ghana.
By this point, Malawi were no longer simply the surprise team of the tournament. They were becoming serious contenders.
The Scorchers delivered again.
A 2–1 victory over Ghana secured Malawi’s place in the WAFCON semi-finals.
The victory also achieved another extraordinary milestone: Malawi secured qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
For a nation making its WAFCON debut, reaching the World Cup and the WAFCON semi-finals in the same campaign was an extraordinary achievement.
🌟 Malawi Make the Final
The historic journey continued in the semi-final against Algeria.
Malawi defeated Algeria 3–1, booking their place in the 2026 WAFCON Final.
This means Malawi have gone from WAFCON debutants to finalists in their first appearance at the continental championship.
They have also become the first WAFCON debutants since Zimbabwe in 2000 to reach the semi-finals — and have now gone one step further by reaching the final.
Their opponents in the final will be Cameroon, setting up another historic occasion for Malawian football.
⭐ JCC Football Agency Clients on the Biggest Stage
Olivia Phikani
Olivia Phikani has continued to be part of Malawi’s historic national-team journey.
A defender representing Kukoma Ntopwa Queens, Olivia was included in the official 23-player squad for the 2026 WAFCON.
Her journey represents the importance of developing local talent and providing talented Malawian players with opportunities to compete at the highest level.
For JCC Football Agency, Olivia’s inclusion in this historic squad is a proud moment.
🧤 Esther Maulidi
Esther Maulidi, goalkeeper for Mighty Wanderers Queens, was also selected in Malawi’s final WAFCON squad.
As one of the country’s goalkeeping options, Esther has been part of a squad that has broken new ground for Malawian women’s football.
Her journey to Morocco demonstrates the importance of persistence, professionalism and believing in the possibilities of the game.
JCC Football Agency is proud to support Esther as she continues to develop her career on the international stage.
👑 The Chawinga Sisters: Leading a New Generation
No story about Malawi’s historic WAFCON campaign would be complete without recognising the extraordinary contribution of sisters Tabitha Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga.
The sisters have become symbols of Malawian women’s football and have brought elite international experience to the Scorchers.
Tabitha, the Malawi captain, and Temwa, one of the world’s most dangerous attacking players, have provided leadership, goals and belief throughout the tournament.
Their presence has helped demonstrate what is possible for Malawian footballers — particularly young girls dreaming of playing professionally around the world.
Their story is also an important reminder that football talent from Malawi can reach the highest levels when opportunity meets determination.
🌍 From Underdogs to Believers
The Malawi story is bigger than one tournament.
It is about a football nation that entered the competition as debutants and faced some of the biggest names in African women’s football.
They defeated the defending champions.
They survived a dramatic group-stage finale.
They defeated Ghana in the quarter-finals.
They qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
They defeated Algeria in the semi-final.
And now they are preparing to play in the WAFCON Final.
This is no longer an underdog story.
It is a story of belief, resilience and ambition.
🤝 JCC Football Agency — Supporting Players Beyond the Pitch
At JCC Football Agency, we believe that football careers are built through opportunity, preparation, representation and strong partnerships.
As a UK-based, FIFA-certified football agency with a global reach, we are proud to represent players who are breaking barriers and creating new possibilities in football.
Seeing Olivia Phikani and Esther Maulidi part of Malawi’s historic WAFCON journey is a tremendous source of pride for everyone at JCC Football Agency.
Their journey is a reminder of what can happen when talent meets opportunity.
And the story isn’t finished yet.
🇲🇼 One nation. One team. One final.
Congratulations to Olivia, Esther, the Chawinga sisters, the entire Malawi Women’s National Team and everyone who has contributed to this extraordinary journey.
The whole of Malawi is behind you.
JCC Football Agency — Building Careers. Creating Global Opportunities.
Learn more about JCC Football Agency and our players at www.jccfootball.com
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At JCC Football Agency, we believe that women’s football is not just part of the future—it is the future. As a FIFA-certified UK-based agency with global reach, we represent and support female players ready to step into this new era.
