Malawi shocked defending champions Nigeria 3-2 in a dramatic Group C opener at Stade El Barid, Rabat, marking one of the biggest upsets in WAFCON history.
The Scorchers, playing their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match, silenced the more fancied Super Falcons through a stunning second-half display led by sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga.
The first half ended goalless, with Nigeria failing to break down a resolute Malawian defence despite their attacking pedigree. But the game turned on its head just after the hour mark. Temwa Chawinga fired Malawi in front in the 73rd minute, and her sister Tabitha doubled the lead six minutes later to leave the Super Falcons stunned.
Nigeria pulled one back through a Rasheedat Ajibade penalty in the 90th minute, sparking hopes of a late rescue act. Those hopes were dashed almost immediately when a defensive lapse allowed Temwa Chawinga to latch onto a loose ball and loop it past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, restoring Malawi’s two-goal cushion and sealing the historic win.
The result leaves Nigeria’s title defence on shaky ground. With Zambia thrashing Egypt 6-0 on the same matchday, the Super Falcons now sit third in Group B and face a must-win clash against Zambia to keep their knockout hopes alive.
For Malawi, the victory caps a difficult journey to the tournament, following years of disputes between players and the football federation. Captain Tabitha Chawinga had promised before kickoff that her side would not show any inferiority complex against the ten-time African champions — a promise the Scorchers delivered on in emphatic fashion.
