All-time great recording artist, dancer, and actress Madonna is expected to be told as early as Sunday that she can adopt a second Malawi orphan.

According to her lawyers, Madonna, 50, is now said to have the backing of two of the judges with the third set to agree. The official ruling is said to be going to be announced next Sunday at Malawi’s Supreme Court of Appeal.

Controversy has dogged the singer’s bid to adopt Chifundo - whose name translates into English as Mercy - with human rights groups accusing Malawian authorities of giving her special treatment.

In March Malawi Judge Esme Chombo blocked the performers attempt to adopt a sister for her other Malawi adoptee David, saying, “the issue of residence, I find, is the key upon which the question of adoption rests and it is the very bedrock of protection that our children need; it must therefore not be tampered with.”

She added: ”Anyone could come to Malawi and quickly arrange for an adoption that might have grave consequences on the very children the law seeks to protect.”

However, Malawi Information minister Patricia Kaliati said the singer, who has poured thousands of dollars into building a day care centre in the impoverished country, had helped Malawi and was a worthy mother.

The star, who was divorced last year from British film director Guy Ritchie, is one of the most successful singers of all time, with album sales of more than 200million.

She has recently been reunited with Jesus Luz - the model 28 years her junior - who she split from days before flying into Malawi for the adoption bid back in March.