By: Ganiyu Olayinka
Nigeria’s hopes of extending their WAFCON dominance to an 11th title took an early hit on Tuesday, as tournament newcomers Malawi pulled off a stunning 3-2 win over the defending champions in their opening Group C fixture. The Scorchers put in a commanding display to hand the ten-time African champions a defeat that ranks among the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history.
The match stayed scoreless through the first half before Malawi broke through in the 73rd minute via Temwa Chawinga. Six minutes later, captain Tabitha Chawinga added a second, leaving Nigeria scrambling. The Super Falcons found a way back into it deep into stoppage time, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade converting from the penalty spot to spark hopes of a late rescue. Those hopes were short-lived, as Temwa Chawinga struck again just three minutes on to restore Malawi’s two-goal cushion and effectively put the game out of reach. Substitute Uchenna Kanu did pull one back deep in added time, but there simply wasn’t enough time left for Nigeria to complete the comeback, and Malawi held firm for a result they’ll remember for years.
The loss puts pressure on the Super Falcons, who now need a strong showing in their next Group C fixture to keep their campaign alive, while Malawi’s opening-day heroics give their own knockout-stage hopes a considerable lift.
In the build-up to the match, Malawi coach Lovemore Fazili had made clear his side wasn’t in Morocco simply to make up the numbers, voicing confidence that his team could spring an upset. Captain Tabitha Chawinga echoed that sentiment, telling her teammates to play fearlessly respecting Nigeria’s pedigree, but insisting Malawi had every bit the quality needed to go toe-to-toe with the champions.