WAFCON 2026: Debutants Malawi stun defending Champions Nigeria 3-2 in Group C opener

By Emmanuel Okogba Chawinga sisters, Temwa and Taitha starred as debutants Malawi handed defending champions Nigeria a 3-2 loss. Both teams were opening their campaign in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and it was expected to be a stroll in the park for the more experienced Super Falcons. The first sign of things to come was their ability to hold the 10-time winners to a goalless draw in the first half.

Within the space of six minutes in the second half, the Chawinga sisters put Malawi two-goals up and had Justine Madugu side in panic mode. Temwa opened the scoring in the 73rd minute before Tabitha Chawinga doubled Malawi’s lead six minutes later. Rasheedat Ajibade converted from the spot in the 90th minute, but a defensive lapse made sure Temwa was able to run onto a loose ball and looped a helpless Chimaka Nnadozie to restore the two-goal advantage three minutes later.

Uchenna Kanu, however, scored deep into stoppage time to reduce the margin. Nigeria’s next match is against a Barbra Banda led Zambian side that pummelled Egypt 6-0 in their opener earlier. The post WAFCON: Super Falcons suffer 2-3 loss to debutants Malawi appeared first on Vanguard News.

Debutants Malawi produced one of the greatest upsets in Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) history after defeating defending champions Nigeria 3-2 in their Group C opener on Tuesday. The tournament debutants, nicknamed the Scorchers, defied the odds at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, to claim a historic three points against the 10-time African champions. Following a tense, goalless first half, the game burst into life after the break as Malawi’s lethal Chawinga sisters took center stage.

Current World Top Scorer Temwa Chawinga broke the deadlock in the 69th minute with a clinical finish to put the newcomers ahead. Just five minutes later, her sister and Olympique Lyonnais forward, Tabitha Chawinga, doubled the lead in the 74th minute, leaving the Super Falcons stunned. Nigeria fought back late in the game when Rasheedat Ajibade converted a 91st-minute penalty to hand the holders a lifeline.

However, Temwa Chawinga struck again deep into stoppage time, scoring a dramatic 95th-minute goal to seal the victory for Malawi. Uchenna Kanu scored a second for Nigeria in the 98th minute, but it proved to be a mere consolation as the referee blew the final whistle moments later. The result marks the first time Nigeria has ever lost a WAFCON match to a tournament debutant.