Okoronkwo urges Super Falcons reaction after shock WAFCON loss to Malawi

Esther Okoronkwo has urged Nigeria’s Super Falcons to raise their levels in their remaining group matches after a 3-2 defeat by Women’s Africa Cup of Nations debutants Malawi left their title defence and FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification hopes in jeopardy.

The nine-time African champions were punished in their opening 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) fixture, slipping to a surprise loss that leaves them third in Group C after Zambia’s 6-0 thrashing of Egypt in the other game.

Okoronkwo, who started in attack but was replaced late on by former Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala, admitted Nigeria fell short of their usual standards and called for an immediate response.

“We came out a little flat but it is what it is. We will go back and learn our lessons and where we should fix and come out better in the next game,” she said.

Penalty appeal dismissed

One of the key moments of the contest involved Okoronkwo shortly before half-time, when the forward went down inside the penalty area under a challenge and appealed for a spot-kick.

Referee Aline Umutoni allowed play to continue and no penalty was awarded, a decision that left the Nigerian camp frustrated.

Speaking afterwards, Okoronkwo said she did not understand why the incident was not further assessed but was determined not to dwell on the controversy.

“I don’t know what the referee saw but it should have been looked at,” she said. “But, it is what it is, I didn’t get it, so I won’t complain or talk about it. I think in the next game we have to come out better than we did in this game.”

Pressure on Nigeria in Group C

The defeat has created early pressure for the Super Falcons, who are used to dominating at WAFCON but now face the prospect of an early exit if they fail to recover quickly.

Nigeria, defending champions and historically the continent’s benchmark side in the women’s game, must now navigate their remaining group fixtures with little margin for error.

Zambia’s emphatic win over Egypt means they top Group C after the first round of matches, with Nigeria trailing and needing points to stay in contention for a place in the knockout stage.

Crucial Zambia test next

Attention now turns to Nigeria’s next outing against group leaders Zambia, a match that could go a long way to deciding both their WAFCON campaign and their route to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

A victory would revive the Super Falcons’ push to reach the quarter-finals and keep their bid to retain the continental title on track, while another setback would leave them relying on results elsewhere in the final round of group fixtures.

Okoronkwo, reflecting on the loss to Malawi and looking ahead to the challenge to come, made clear that the focus within the squad must now be on improvement rather than frustration.

“We will go back and learn our lessons,” she said, emphasising the need for the team to correct their mistakes and show a stronger performance in their decisive match against Zambia.