By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Malawi and Nigeria have secured qualification for the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) tiebreak regulations separated them from Zambia in a dramatic three-way tie in Group C.
The three nations finished level on points, forcing the application of Article 74 of the CAF WAFCON regulations, which determines rankings using results obtained in matches played exclusively between the tied teams.
The first criterion, head-to-head points, could not separate the trio. Malawi defeated Nigeria 3-2 but lost 2-1 to Zambia, Nigeria beat Zambia 1-0 after losing to Malawi, while Zambia overcame Malawi after falling to Nigeria. Each team finished with three points in the mini-league.
The second tiebreaker, head-to-head goal difference, also failed to produce a winner. Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia all ended with an identical goal difference of zero in matches involving the three tied teams.
Qualification was eventually decided by the third criterion—head-to-head goals scored.
Malawi finished top of the mini-league after scoring four goals in matches against the other tied teams. Nigeria ranked second with three goals, while Zambia managed two goals, leaving them third despite also collecting three points.
The final ranking among the tied teams was therefore:
- Malawi – 4 head-to-head goals scored
- Nigeria – 3 head-to-head goals scored
- Zambia – 2 head-to-head goals scored
As a result, Malawi and Nigeria advance to the quarter-finals, while Zambia’s WAFCON 2026 campaign comes to an end despite finishing level on points with the other two sides.
The outcome underlines the importance of every goal scored in the group stage, with Malawi’s attacking display against Nigeria proving decisive in securing a historic place in the knockout rounds.
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