The Super Falcons of Nigeria suffered a shocking 3-2 defeat to Malawi in their opening Group C match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco on Tuesday.
The defending champions were left reeling after an poor second-half collapse at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat, putting immediate pressure on their title defence and their chance to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Justin Madugu’s looked disjointed and a spectre of the record-extending team that won the competition last year. For most of the first half, the team struggled for equal footing against the Malawian, who were playing their first-ever WAFCON match.
The match was goalless at halftime, giving little hint of the chaotic second period that was to follow.
The tie came alive after the restart as Malawi seized on defensives lapses from the Falcons’ backline.
The Scorchers capitalised on swift counter-attacks, piercing through Nigeria’s defence to grab three second-half goals.
Temwa Chawinga opened the scoring after a longball was miscalculated by Chiamaka Nnadozie and she raced passed the goalkeeper to slot the ball into the net.
Thabita Chawinga then added the second shorly, finish off another long pass through the legs of of Nnadozie.
The Falcons then pulled one back from a penalty taken by Rasheedat Ajibade after an Uchenna Kanu’s header was handled inside the Malawian’s box.
Nigeria soon surrended the momentum of the goal after Nnadozie wrongfully positioned herself in the box, allowing Temwa to lob the ball into an gaping net.
Kanu’s second goal for Nigeria in the last minute of added time was only a consolation.
The defeat leaves Nigeria trailing early in Group C following Zambia’s 6-0 win over Egypt earlier in the day.
The Falcons will face Zambia on August 1, in a crucial fixture that could determine their survival in the tournament.
