Malawi coach hails ‘fearless’ Scorchers after stunning WAFCON win over Nigeria

Malawi head coach Lovemore Fazili says his players “put in everything” and fully earned their sensational 3-2 victory over defending champions Nigeria in their opening match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The Scorchers’ Group C success over the nine-time winners Super Falcons ranks among the biggest shocks in WAFCON history and immediately throws the section wide open.

Temwa Chawinga, later named Player of the Match, scored twice for Malawi, while her sister Tabitha Chawinga also found the net in a remarkable attacking display.

Nigeria captain Rasheedat Ajibade and substitute Uchenna Kanu were on the scoresheet for the Super Falcons, but their goals were not enough to prevent a surprise defeat in the first game of their title defence.

‘They are capable of delivering’

Speaking after the match, Fazili praised his side for a committed and fearless performance against one of the continent’s traditional powerhouses.

“The game was very good, an excellent game for that matter. The players played very well. They put in everything and showed that they are capable of delivering,” said the Malawi coach.

“I am very happy with the performance. They did not underrate themselves because they knew there was something they had to show to Malawians.”

Fazili, who had vowed before the tournament that his team were “going there to fight”, said the players had made good on that promise with the intensity of their display.

He added that the result was a source of national pride, describing the win as a gift to supporters back home.

Focus turns to Egypt and Zambia

Despite the scale of the upset, Fazili was quick to urge his squad to keep their focus, noting that progression from Group C will depend on maintaining the same levels in their remaining fixtures.

The Scorchers face Egypt’s Cleopatras in their second group match on Saturday, before completing their pool campaign against Zambia.

“We are still fighting. We have two games to go, so this one is good. We have given this victory to Malawians and now we look ahead to Egypt and Zambia,” he said.

Malawi’s victory over Nigeria gives them a strong platform in the race for a quarter-final place, but Fazili underlined that there can be no let-up with two demanding contests still to come.

Nigeria, meanwhile, will now be under pressure to respond in their remaining group games as they attempt to avoid an early exit and keep alive their hopes of retaining the continental crown.