Nigeria target fast start as Super Falcons launch WAFCON title defence against Malawi in Rabat

Nigeria will begin their bid for an 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations crown on Tuesday night when the Super Falcons face debutants Malawi in their opening Group C match at Stade El Barid in Rabat.

The defending champions, who lifted the trophy less than a year ago, return to Morocco as the continent’s highest-ranked women’s national side and overwhelming favourites to progress from a group that also includes Zambia and Egypt. Kick-off is at 21:00 WAT.

Head coach Justine Madugu has named an experienced squad featuring players based in Europe, the United States and Saudi Arabia, and is expected to retain his attack-minded 4-3-3 system. Nigeria are likely to press high, dominate possession and use their pace in wide areas to stretch Malawi’s defence.

The Super Falcons come into the tournament on the back of a 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their final warm-up match in Morocco, a result that underlined their status as one of the teams to beat at WAFCON 2026.

Malawi, by contrast, are preparing for their first ever appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Known as the Scorchers, they arrive as underdogs but with enough attacking quality to trouble more established sides, particularly through the pace and finishing of sisters Temwa Chawinga and Tabitha Chawinga.

Their build-up has been less smooth than Nigeria’s after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat by Ghana in a friendly, but coach Lovemore Fazili is not expected to discard his tactical blueprint. Malawi are likely to sit deep, defend with numbers and look to counter-attack at speed through their prolific forwards.

Team news and likely line-ups

Nigeria’s preparations were disrupted by the loss of defender Ashleigh Plumptre, who has not recovered from a long-term injury. Even so, Madugu still has one of the strongest squads in African women’s football at his disposal.

There was positive news with Washington Spirit midfielder Deborah Abiodun and forward Gift Monday overcoming travel delays from the United States to link up with the squad in Morocco in time for the opener.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, highly rated goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala are all available. Jennifer Echegini is expected to offer creativity in midfield, while Christy Ucheibe and Abiodun will provide protection in front of the back four.

Nigeria also have considerable depth on the bench, with Toni Payne, Esther Okoronkwo, Uchenna Kanu and Folashade Ijamilusi all pushing for minutes.

Madugu is tipped to start with a front three of Ajibade, Oshoala and Gift Monday, supported by a midfield trio of Ucheibe, Abiodun and Echegini in a 4-3-3 line-up of:

Nigeria (4-3-3): Nnadozie; Alozie, Ohale, Demehin, Imuran; Ucheibe, Abiodun, Echegini; Ajibade, Oshoala, Gift Monday.

Malawi will lean heavily on captain Temwa Chawinga, the Kansas City Current forward whose pace and clinical edge make her the country’s standout threat. Her elder sister Tabitha Chawinga adds further experience and firepower after excelling in European club football.

Following the defeat by Ghana, Fazili is expected to tighten his defence. Esther Maulidi is set to start in goal, although Mercy Sikelo provides competition, while veteran defender Maggie Chavula could be recalled to add stability at the back.

The Scorchers are likely to adopt a compact 4-4-2 shape, dropping deep out of possession and springing forward when Nigeria lose the ball:

Malawi (4-4-2): Maulidi; Alufandika, Madise, Khumalo, Chavula; Kadzere, Chinyamula, Nguluwe, Simwaka; Tabitha Chawinga, Temwa Chawinga.

History on Nigeria’s side

Nigeria and Malawi have met only twice before at senior women’s level, with the Super Falcons unbeaten in those encounters.

Their first meeting was on 9 June 2012 in Blantyre, where Malawi produced an impressive display to earn a 1-1 draw in qualifying for the 2014 African Women’s Championship, which doubled as the route to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The return leg at the Abuja National Stadium on 7 September 2013 saw Nigeria take control, winning 2-0 to secure progression and preserve their undefeated record against the Scorchers.

Across the two matches, Nigeria have one win and one draw, scoring three goals and conceding one. While Malawi’s women’s side has improved markedly in recent years, particularly with the emergence of Temwa Chawinga and Tabitha Chawinga as world-class forwards, the historical balance still tilts firmly towards Nigeria ahead of Tuesday’s fixture.

Key battles

Ajibade, operating from wide areas, will be central to Nigeria’s attacking approach, using her speed and leadership to create opportunities for the front line.

Behind her, Nnadozie – widely regarded as Africa’s leading goalkeeper over the past three years – could have a crucial role if Malawi’s counter-attacks start to pose problems.

For Malawi, Temwa Chawinga is the focal point. Her pace and sharp movement mean even minor lapses at the back could be punished. Her duel with Nigeria right-back Michelle Alozie is likely to be one of the defining contests of the evening; limiting Chawinga’s runs in behind would significantly blunt Malawi’s threat.

In midfield, Abiodun’s passing range and ball-winning will be vital. With Malawi expected to congest central areas, Nigeria must circulate the ball quickly to create gaps.

Up front for the Super Falcons, coach Madugu is set to favour Joy Omewa over more established options Asisat Oshoala and Chinwendu Ihezuo. If selected, Omewa’s physicality and intelligent movement inside the box will test centre-backs Chimwemwe Madise and Ireen Khumalo, who cannot afford any loss of concentration.

Match context and expectations

Fixture: Nigeria vs Malawi
Competition: Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026
Group: Group C
Date: Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Kick-off: 21:00 WAT
Venue: Stade El Barid, Rabat, Morocco

Nigeria head into the game with greater experience, depth and quality across the pitch. Malawi’s best route to an upset lies in the speed of Temwa Chawinga and Tabitha Chawinga on the break, especially if the holders switch off defensively.

Over the full 90 minutes, however, Nigeria are expected to control possession and fashion the clearer chances, with Ajibade supplying creativity, Echegini dictating in midfield and Omewa – if preferred through the middle – providing a focal point in attack.

Malawi’s disciplined, deep-lying defence should ensure a competitive contest, but the Super Falcons appear to have enough attacking options to begin their title defence with a win.

Predicted score: Nigeria 3-1 Malawi.