Malawi/Nigeria: Malawi Stun 10-Time Champions Nigeria in Five-Goal Wafcon Thriller

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying a Nyasa Times report by Phillip Pasula, reported that Malawi opened their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Group C campaign with a 3-2 win over Nigeria in Rabat on 29 July 2026. The match at Al Madina Stadium was Malawi’s WAFCON debut, while Nigeria entered as defending champions and 10-time winners of the continental title.

According to the report, Malawi coach Lovemore Fazili’s side spent much of the match absorbing pressure and looking for counter-attacking chances. After a goalless first half, Temwa Chawinga put Malawi ahead in the 73rd minute, and captain Tabitha Chawinga added a second six minutes later. Nigeria responded in stoppage time through a Rasheedat Ajibade penalty after a handball by Malawi defender Mkandawire.

Temwa Chawinga scored again in the 95th minute to make it 3-1, but Uchenna Kanu reduced the deficit in the 98th minute after a defensive lapse, setting up a tense finish. Malawi held on for a result the report described as a major upset against the most successful team in African women’s football.

The result put Malawi second in Group C on three points, behind Zambia, who beat Egypt 6-0 earlier the same day. Nyasa Times reported that Malawi next face Egypt on Saturday, 1 August, at Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan, before playing Zambia on Wednesday, 5 August. The win is significant because it gives Malawi an early platform in their first WAFCON appearance and disrupts expectations in a group featuring Nigeria’s historically dominant Super Falcons.