Ayinde, Chinzimu Eye History in First Ever UEFA Women’s Europa Cup Final

Malawi international Faith Chinzimu and Nigeria’s Halimatu Ayinde are on the brink of history as they prepare for a high-stakes UEFA Women’s Europa Cup final against Hammarby IF in an all-Swedish showdown on Saturday.

The final will be played across two legs, with the first encounter scheduled for April 25 at Hammarby’s home ground, before the decisive return leg on May 1, 2026, in Gothenburg.

For Chinzimu, the moment carries historic weight as the forward is poised to become the first Malawian to win a European club title – a landmark achievement that would elevate both her career and the profile of Malawian women’s football on the global stage.

Ayinde, meanwhile, is targeting a place among Nigeria’s elite in European football. The veteran Super Falcons midfielder could become only the second Nigerian to win a major European women’s club title after Asisat Oshoala, who lifted the UEFA Women’s Champions League with FC Barcelona. It would mark a significant milestone in Ayinde’s career, reinforcing her status as one of Africa’s most consistent midfielders in Europe.

Both players have played pivotal roles in their team’s journey to the final. Chinzimu’s pace, direct attacking play, and eye for goal have delivered crucial moments, while Ayinde’s composure, ball-winning ability, and tactical discipline have provided balance and leadership in midfield.

Standing in their way is a well-drilled Hammarby side, known for their organisation, high pressing, and swift transitions. The Swedish outfit will be confident on home turf, setting up what promises to be a closely contested tactical battle over two legs.

This edition of the competition also carries added significance. The inaugural UEFA Women’s Europa Cup has featured 43 teams and has been contested entirely in a two-legged knockout format. Beyond lifting the trophy, the winners will secure automatic qualification to the third qualifying round of the champions path of the next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League, leaving them just one step away from a place in the 2026/27 league phase.

Adding another layer of narrative, the African duo’s partnership at club level will soon give way to international rivalry. Both players are expected to face off in the group stage opener of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 in Morocco on July 25, where Nigeria and Malawi are set to clash.

With continental glory and Champions League qualification at stake, the stakes could not be higher. For Ayinde and Chinzimu, this is more than just a final, it is a chance to make history and further cement Africa’s growing influence in European women’s football.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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