Nigeria’s bid for a record 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title suffered an early blow on Tuesday after tournament debutants Malawi defeated the Super Falcons 3-2 in their opening Group C match.
The Scorchers produced a determined performance to hand the defending champions and record 10-time African winners a shock defeat in their first game of the competition.
After a tightly contested first half, Malawi took the lead in the 73rd minute through Temwa Chawinga. Six minutes later, captain Tabitha Chawinga doubled the advantage, putting Nigeria under serious pressure.
The Super Falcons pulled a goal back in stoppage time when captain Rasheedat Ajibade converted a penalty in the 90+2nd minute, briefly reviving hopes of a comeback.
However, Malawi restored their two-goal lead almost immediately as Temwa Chawinga scored again in the 90+5th minute to make it 3-1.
Nigeria continued to fight, and substitute Uchenna Kanu reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 90+9th minute, but there was not enough time left to find an equaliser.
The result is being regarded as one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with Malawi winning their first-ever WAFCON match against Africa’s most successful women’s national team.
Before the game, Malawi coach Lovemore Fazili had insisted his team was capable of causing an upset, saying they did not come into the tournament as victims.
Captain Tabitha Chawinga also said the team respected Nigeria’s pedigree but would play without any inferiority complex.
The defeat leaves Nigeria third in Group C with zero points, ahead of Egypt only on goal difference.
Earlier on Tuesday, Zambia thrashed Egypt 6-0, with captain Barbra Banda scoring four goals, to move to the top of the group on goal difference, while Malawi are second with three points.
The Super Falcons will now face group leaders Zambia on Saturday, 1 August 2026, at 9:00 p.m. WAT in a match that could prove decisive for their qualification hopes.
Nigeria will then conclude the group stage against Egypt on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, also at 9:00 p.m. WAT.
Under the tournament format, the top two teams in each group and the two best third-placed teams will advance to the quarter-finals, meaning Nigeria still has a chance to recover despite the disappointing start.
