Nigeria’s defence of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title suffered a major setback as Malawi secured a historic 3-2 victory over the Super Falcons in their Group C opener in Rabat.
The defeat was a stunning result for the defending champions, who were expected to dominate against a Malawi side making their debut at the tournament.
Instead, the Chawinga sisters wrote their names into WAFCON history, with Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga scoring Malawi’s first goals in the competition before Temwa added a second late in the game.
Nigeria struggled to impose themselves during a disjointed first half, with their attack failing to produce a single attempt on target.
Justine Madugu had opted for a front three of Esther Okoronkwo, Florence Ijamilusi and Chiwendu Ihezuo, but the combination failed to trouble the Malawian defence.
Sloppy passing, poor communication and a slow build-up repeatedly disrupted Nigeria’s play, while Malawi showed enough attacking threat to suggest that the defending champions were in for a difficult evening.
Temwa’s cut-back almost found Tabitha, but Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie intervened. Tabitha then thought she had broken the deadlock shortly after half-time, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Nigeria responded by introducing Toni Payne and Uchenna Kanu in the 56th minute, with Kanu immediately injecting more energy into the attack.
The Super Falcons came close when Kanu worked her way down the left before cutting the ball back towards Michelle Alozie, but the resulting effort went narrowly wide.
Rasheedat Ajibade also tested Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo with a header, but the chance was comfortably dealt with.
In the 73rd minute, Ireen Khumalo launched a long ball forward which found Temwa Chawinga in space between Nigeria’s defenders.
The Kansas City Current forward drifted towards the left before rounding Nnadozie and calmly finishing into an empty net.
It was a historic moment for Malawi, giving the debutants their first-ever WAFCON goal.
Six minutes later, the same weakness in Nigeria’s defence was exposed again.
Another long ball, this time from Sabina Thom, was not dealt with by Nigeria’s backline. Tabitha Chawinga seized the opportunity, raced through on goal and beat Nnadozie to double Malawi’s advantage.
Nigeria were suddenly staring at one of the biggest shocks in WAFCON history.
Asisat Oshoala was introduced in the 83rd minute as Madugu searched for a way back into the game, and Nigeria were handed a lifeline two minutes from normal time.
Rose Alufandika was penalised for handball inside the penalty area, giving Nigeria a chance to reduce the deficit.
Ajibade stepped up and made no mistake, sending Sikelo the wrong way to make it 2-1.
Temwa Chawinga struck again in the fifth minute of added time, completing a remarkable individual performance and restoring Malawi’s two-goal advantage.
A long ball forward was headed on and fell kindly to Kanu, who slipped her finish underneath Sikelo to make it 3-2.
The Super Falcons pushed for an equaliser in the closing moments, but Malawi held on for a famous victory.
The result gives Malawi their first-ever WAFCON win and leaves Nigeria facing an early test of their title defence.
For the Super Falcons, attention now turns to Zambia on Saturday.
The Copper Queens boast a dangerous attacking threat of their own in Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda, meaning Nigeria’s defensive problems will need to be addressed quickly.
Nigeria can take some confidence from their recent record against Zambia, having defeated them 5-0 in the quarter-finals of the previous WAFCON.
But after a night to forget against Malawi, the defending champions know they must improve significantly if they are to retain their crown.
