The script had already been written; or so everyone thought. Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Africa’s most decorated women’s national team and defending champions, arrived in Rabat expected to begin another march toward an 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations crown.
Standing in their way were tournament debutants Malawi, a team many believed would simply be another stepping stone, but football has never cared much for predictions.
Instead, the opening night of Group C delivered one of the biggest shocks in WAFCON history.
The fearless Scorchers stunned the reigning champions 3-2, with captain Temwa Chawinga producing a breathtaking Hat-Trick to hand Malawi their first-ever victory and (first-ever goals) in the competition.
By the time the final whistle echoed around the stadium, history belonged to Malawi, while Nigeria were left searching for answers after an unforgettable night that has completely blown Group C wide open.
David Topples Goliath as Malawi Make WAFCON History
There could hardly have been a tougher introduction to Women’s Africa Cup of Nations football.
Making their tournament debut, Malawi were drawn against a Nigerian side that had dominated African women’s football for decades, winning the continental title ten times and successfully defending it just a year ago.
Yet none of that mattered once the match began.
The Scorchers refused to be intimidated, matched Nigeria’s intensity throughout the contest and punished every defensive mistake with ruthless efficiency.
When the dust settled, Malawi had secured a famous 3-2 victory that instantly became the greatest result in their women’s football history.
Nigeria Dominate… But Can’t Find the Breakthrough
The Super Falcons started exactly as expected.
Justin Madugu’s side controlled possession, enjoying 54.7 percent of the ball, while constantly pushing Malawi back into their own half.
Nigeria created opportunities, forced saves and looked the more threatening side throughout large spells of the opening 45 minutes, which ended goaless.
Both teams struggled to find the finishing touch, although Malawi showed enough discipline and resilience to frustrate the defending champions.
Mercy Nguluwe became the first player booked after receiving a yellow card in the 30th minute as the contest grew increasingly physical.
Second Half Explodes into Life
The game completely changed after the restart.
Nigeria attempted to inject fresh energy into the attack.
Chinwendu Ihezuo was introduced before Toni Payne replaced Folashade Ijamilusi in the 57th minute as the Super Falcons desperately searched for the breakthrough.
Later, experienced stars Asisat Oshoala and Deborah Abiodun were also thrown into the contest.
But while Nigeria searched…
Malawi struck.
Temwa Chawinga Announces Malawi to Africa
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 73rd minute.
Captain Temwa Chawinga, one of African football’s most feared forwards, calmly finished after being brilliantly set up by Ivy Khumalo.
It was more than just a goal.
It was Malawi’s first-ever goal in Women’s Africa Cup of Nations history.
Just six minutes later, disaster struck Nigeria again.
This time Chawinga raced onto a perfectly weighted pass from Sabina Thom before calmly slotting past Chiamaka Nnadozie to double Malawi’s advantage and silence the Nigerian supporters.
The Super Falcons suddenly found themselves staring at an opening-match defeat that nobody saw coming.
Ajibade Gives Nigeria Hope… Chawinga Crushes It
Nigeria finally found a way back deep into stoppage time.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade converted confidently from the penalty spot in the 92nd minute to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
For a brief moment, belief returned.
The Super Falcons pushed everyone forward in search of an equaliser.
Instead, they were caught once more.
Just three minutes later, Bernadette Mkandawire delivered another excellent assist and Temwa Chawinga completed a sensational hat-trick, restoring Malawi’s two-goal advantage at 3-1.
Although Uchenna Kanu scored in the 99th minute to make it 3-2, there was simply no time left.
The comeback ended before it truly began.
Huge Blow to Nigeria’s Title Defence
The defeat immediately places Nigeria under pressure in Group C.
The defending champions entered Morocco dreaming of retaining their title and extending their record haul of continental crowns.
Instead, they now face a difficult path through the group after losing their opening fixture.
Every remaining game suddenly becomes crucial if the Super Falcons are to avoid an early exit and keep alive their hopes of defending the trophy.
Chawinga Sisters Hands Malawi their Biggest Football History
Much of the pre-match discussion centered around Malawi’s famous Chawinga sisters.
By the end of the evening, they had lived up to every expectation.
While Tabitha Chawinga continually stretched Nigeria’s defence with her movement, it was captain Temwa Chawinga who stole the headlines with an unforgettable hat-trick that secured one of African football’s greatest upsets.
The sisters led from the front as Malawi stunned the continent’s most successful team on their biggest stage yet.
Numbers Tell the Story
Despite the defeat, Nigeria were far from outplayed statistically.
The Super Falcons edged possession with 54.7 percent compared to Malawi’s 45.3 percent.
Both teams registered 13 shots each.
Nigeria managed eight shots on target, while Malawi had seven.
Malawi, however, were far more clinical, creating four big chances compared to Nigeria’s two, while goalkeeper Yamikani Kaonga made six crucial saves to frustrate the defending champions.
Team statistics:
- Possession: Nigeria 54.7% – 45.3% Malawi
- Shots: 13 – 13
- Shots on target: Nigeria 8-7 Malawi
- Corner kicks: Nigeria 4 – 5 Malawi
- Saves: Nigeria 4 – 6 Malawi
- Fouls: Nigeria 10 – 12 Malawi
- Yellow cards: 2 – 2
Malawi Announce Their Arrival
For Malawi, this was more than three points.
- It was a statement.
- A tournament debut.
- A first-ever WAFCON goal.
- A first-ever WAFCON victory.
And it came against the most successful women’s football nation Africa has ever produced.
Led by the brilliance of Temwa Chawinga and inspired by the fearless performance of the Chawinga sisters, the Scorchers have announced themselves to the continent in unforgettable fashion.
If anyone doubted they belonged at WAFCON 2026, those doubts disappeared the moment the final whistle blew in Rabat.
The post Temwa Chawinga Hat-Trick Silences Super Falcons as Malawi Writes WAFCON History appeared first on Latest Sports News In Nigeria.
Temwa Chawinga Hat-Trick Silences Super Falcons as Malawi Writes WAFCON History was first posted on July 29, 2026 at 12:02 am.
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