Malawi Shock Defending Champions Nigeria 3-2 in Thrilling WAFCON Opener

Defending champions Nigeria suffered one of the biggest upsets in the history of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after losing 3-2 to tournament debutants Malawi in a dramatic Group C opener played on Tuesday night in Rabat, Morocco. The result handed Malawi a dream start to their maiden WAFCON campaign while leaving the Super Falcons with work to do in the race for a place in the knockout stages.

For much of the contest, Nigeria dominated possession but struggled to convert their chances against a disciplined Malawian defence. The deadlock was finally broken in the 73rd minute when Temwa Chawinga finished clinically to put Malawi ahead. Just six minutes later, her sister Tabitha Chawinga doubled the lead with a composed finish after another swift attacking move, stunning the defending champions.

Nigeria appeared to have found a lifeline deep into stoppage time when captain Rasheedat Ajibade converted a penalty in the 90+2nd minute to reduce the deficit to 2-1. However, Malawi responded almost immediately as Temwa Chawinga struck again in the 90+5th minute, restoring her side’s two-goal cushion and completing her brace.

The Super Falcons refused to surrender, and substitute Uchenna Kanu scored in the 90+9th minute to make it 3-2, setting up a frantic finale. Despite intense late pressure, Malawi held firm through the closing seconds to secure a famous victory, prompting jubilant celebrations among the players and coaching staff at the final whistle.

The defeat is a significant setback for Nigeria, Africa’s most successful women’s national team and the defending WAFCON champions. The Super Falcons entered the tournament as favourites after lifting their record-extending continental crown last year and were widely expected to begin their campaign with a comfortable victory over the debutants.

For Malawi, the win represents one of the greatest moments in the country’s football history. Making their first-ever appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the Scorchers showed remarkable composure and resilience, with the Chawinga sisters once again proving why they are regarded as two of Africa’s most dangerous attacking players.

The result throws Group C wide open. Malawi now takes early control of the group, while Nigeria faces mounting pressure to bounce back in its remaining fixtures against Egypt and Zambia if it hopes to reach the quarter-finals and keep its title defence alive. Under the tournament format, the top two teams in each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advance to the knockout stage.

Although Nigeria created opportunities and enjoyed long spells of possession, defensive lapses and clinical finishing from Malawi proved decisive. The Super Falcons will now need a strong response in their next outing to avoid an early exit from a tournament they were widely tipped to win. Meanwhile, Malawi’s stunning victory has instantly become one of the defining stories of the opening week of WAFCON 2026.