Following their disappointing opening loss, Egypt’s hopes in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 are precarious as they face a strong Malawi team, fresh off a 3-2 victory against 10-time champions Nigeria.

For Mohamed Kamal’s squad, bouncing back is critical; another defeat could derail their chances of reaching the quarterfinals, while Malawi can secure their spot with a consecutive win.

Mohamed Kamal: “Show the true face of Egypt

Despite the 6-0 loss to Zambia in their opener, Kamal remains calm, insisting his team is still learning. “We want to show the true face of the Egyptian team. We’ve reviewed our mistakes and need to grow through these experiences,” he explained. He respects Malawi’s talent, admitting, “They pulled off a significant upset, and we’re preparing for them with complete focus.”

Nadin Ghazi: “It would be a rebirth.

Egyptian captain Nadin Ghazi is resolute despite the defeat. “We’re even more motivated now; we want to make our nation proud,” she stated. For her, winning this match signifies a crucial turning point. “This is our opportunity. Our goal is to take all three points,” she affirmed, emphasizing the unity of her team.

Malawi stays grounded

Despite their win over Nigeria, Malawi’s coach Lovemore Fazili emphasizes the importance of staying focused. “It will be a different match,” he noted, stressing the need for seriousness in preparation. “We’re not underestimating Egypt; we know they can be a challenge.” Midfielder Leticia Chinyamula echoed this sentiment, urging others not to underestimate their potential: “Don’t judge us too quickly. We’ve already moved on from the Nigeria game and are focused on performing even better against Egypt.”

Stat of the Day

Egypt faces a Southern African nation for the fourth time, holding one win and two losses. Their last two matches against COSAFA teams ended in defeats, including a 6-0 loss to Zambia in the current tournament. Their only victory in the finals came against Zimbabwe in 2016, where they won 1-0.