By Amaechi Agbo

In one of the greatest upsets in African women’s football history, tournament debutants Malawi stunned defending champions Nigeria 3-2 in their Group C opening match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at the Al Madina Stadium on Tuesday night.

Striker Temwa Chawinga stole the show with a magnificent brace, dismantling the continent’s most successful team and securing a historic first-ever WAFCON victory for the Scorchers.

The first half concluded in a cagey, goalless stalemate with Nigeria’s Super Falcons dominating possession. Head coach Justin Madugu’s side repeatedly pressed forward, but they were kept at bay by a highly disciplined Malawian backline and early defensive interventions.

The match erupted into life after the interval, delivering a five-goal thriller. Malawi took a shocking lead through their lethal counter-attacking system, spearheaded by NWSL star Temwa Chawinga.

Stunned by the debutants, the ten-time African champions rallied back to score twice, briefly restoring order for the heavy favorites. Refusing to suffer an inferiority complex, Malawi’s Scorchers fought back tenaciously. Temwa Chawinga completed her brace, driving the final nail into the champions’ defense to seal the unbelievable 3-3 template of chaos into a 3-2 victory.

Prior to kick-off, the football world heavily favored Nigeria, who boasted a star-studded squad featuring Rasheedat Ajibade and Asisat Oshoala. Statistics also leaned heavily toward the holders, who had never lost a WAFCON match to a tournament debutant in 17 previous attempts. However, Malawi head coach Lovemore Fazili had warned that his team came to compete, not to be “resigned victims”.

Backed by the world-class pedigree of the Chawinga sisters—Tabitha and Temwa—the Scorchers capitalised on defensive vulnerabilities in the Nigerian setup to run away with all three points. The shocking defeat leaves the Super Falcons with zero points, putting immediate pressure on their quest for a record-extending 11th continental title and a direct ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, Zambia leads Group C on goal difference after a commanding 6-0 thrashing of Egypt earlier in the day. Nigeria must now regroup quickly before they face a formidable Zambia women’s national football team on August 1. Malawi will look to carry their fairy-tale momentum into their second group match against Egypt.