Nigeria’s Super Falcons begin their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a 3-2 defeat to debutants Malawi in Group C. Multiple reports say Nigeria enters the match as holders and favourites, but Malawi take control after the break with decisive finishing and counter-attacks. The goals are led by the Chawinga sisters: Temwa Chawinga opens the scoring, with Tabitha Chawinga adding a second for Malawi to put the debutants 2-0 up. Nigeria then responds, pulling one goal back via a penalty converted by Rasheedat Ajibade following a foul inside Malawi’s box. Malawi extend their lead again when Nigeria concede another chance shortly after, and Nigeria add a late second goal through Uchenna Kanu in stoppage time, with the second goal described as a consolation. Reports also highlight that the match is goalless at halftime and that Nigeria’s first defeat to a debutant team at WAFCON is among the notable outcomes cited. The loss leaves Nigeria facing pressure early in the group, with their next match against Zambia.
Malawi stun Nigeria 3-2 as Chawinga sisters lead Super Falcons’ WAFCON 2026 loss
Nigeria’s Super Falcons begin their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a 3-2 defeat to debutants Malawi in Group C. Multiple reports say Nigeria enters the match as holders and favo...
- Nigeria’s Super Falcons lose 3-2 to debutants Malawi in their Group C opener at WAFCON 2026 in Rabat, Morocco.
- Temwa Chawinga scores first for Malawi, and Tabitha Chawinga adds a second to give Malawi a 2-0 lead at one stage.
- Nigeria reduce the deficit with a penalty scored by Rasheedat Ajibade after an infringement in Malawi’s box.
- Nigeria score again late, with Uchenna Kanu scoring in added time; the second goal is described as a consolation.
- Malawi’s win ends Nigeria’s record of not losing to a debutant team at WAFCON, and leaves Nigeria trailing in Group C early.
Nigeria faces a historic setback after a shocking 3-2 loss to Malawi, jeopardising their chance to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.
16 hours agoMalawi's Copper Queens stunned Nigeria 3-2 in their WAFCON debut, earning CAF's praise and making history in a thrilling tournament opener in Rabat.
17 hours agoNigeria's Super Falcons suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to debutants Malawi in WAFCON 2026, setting unwanted records and facing a daunting path ahead.
17 hours agoThe 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 Falcons 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 need an immediate response when they face Zambia on August 1, in a crucial fixture that could determine their survival in the tournament.
18 hours agoIn what will go down as one of the biggest upsets in the history of African women's football, the reigning champions dominated large spells of the contest but were ruthlessly punished by an inspired Malawi side led by the devastating Chawinga sisters The post WAFCON 2026: Six major takeaways from Super Falcons’ historic defeat to Malawi appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
19 hours agoNigeria’s Super Falcons suffered a shocking setback in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) opener on Tuesday, falling 3-2 to debutants Malawi in their Group C clash. The post WAFCON: Why Super Falcons lost to Malawi — Okoronkwo appeared first on Vanguard News.
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