In a remarkable upset at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Malawi defeated defending champions Nigeria 3-2 in a Group C match held in Rabat, Morocco.
The victory was powered by the Chawinga sisters, Temwa and Tabitha, who both found the net. Temwa, playing for Kansas City Current in the United States, scored twice, while Tabitha, a Lyon player in France, added one goal.
Nigeria entered the tournament as the highest-ranked team (36th globally) and ten-time WAFCON champions, while Malawi, ranked 153rd, was making its debut in the competition. The 117-place ranking gap underscored the magnitude of Malawi's achievement.
Match Highlights
- The first half ended goalless despite Malawi being considered underdogs.
- Temwa Chawinga opened the scoring in the 73rd minute, skillfully bypassing Nigeria's goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
- Tabitha doubled Malawi's lead six minutes later, capitalizing on a race for possession against Nnadozie.
- In added time, Nigerian captain Rasheedat Ajibade converted a penalty in the 92nd minute to narrow the deficit.
- Temwa sealed the win with a lob over Nnadozie shortly after, restoring Malawi's two-goal lead.
- Nigeria scored again in the dying moments, but the final whistle came quickly, denying them a chance to equalize.
Malawi now sits second in Group C with three points, level with Zambia but behind on goal difference. Zambia also recorded a dominant 6-0 win over Egypt, with Barbra Banda scoring four goals.
Both Malawi and Zambia will aim to secure quarter-final spots in their upcoming matches against Egypt and Nigeria respectively.
