Temwa Chawinga treble stuns Nigeria as Malawi make WAFCON history in Rabat

Temwa Chawinga scored a stunning hat-trick as Malawi marked their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations debut with a 3-2 victory over holders Nigeria, in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history.

The Malawi captain struck three times in the final 20 minutes in Rabat to secure her country’s first-ever goals and first-ever win at WAFCON, leaving the Super Falcons’ title defence in immediate danger and Group C wide open.

Nigeria, 10-time continental champions and the dominant force in African women’s football, arrived in Morocco widely expected to begin another routine march towards an 11th crown. Instead, they left the pitch searching for answers after a chaotic finale that saw four goals scored after the 73rd minute.

Malawi, nicknamed the Scorchers, had been dismissed in many quarters as group underdogs and potential cannon fodder for the defending champions. But they refused to be overawed by reputation, kept their discipline and punished Nigerian errors with ruthless precision.

By full-time, the scale of the upset was clear: a debutant side had beaten Africa’s most decorated women’s national team on the opening night of their first campaign.

Nigeria dominate early but Malawi hold firm

Justin Madugu’s Super Falcons began as anticipated, enjoying 54.7% of possession and pinning Malawi back for long spells of the first half.

Nigeria carved out several promising openings and repeatedly tested Malawi goalkeeper Yamikani Kaonga, who would end the night with six important saves. Despite their pressure, however, the holders could not find a way through before the interval.

Malawi, content to absorb pressure and counter when possible, showed organisation and resilience as the half wore on. The physical nature of the contest was underlined when Mercy Nguluwe became the first player booked in the 30th minute.

The opening 45 minutes finished goalless, with both sides struggling to apply the decisive touch in front of goal despite Nigeria looking the more threatening in open play.

Second-half changes – but Malawi strike first

Nigeria attempted to shift the momentum after the break with a series of attacking substitutions. Chinwendu Ihezuo was introduced early in the second half, before Toni Payne replaced Folashade Ijamilusi in the 57th minute as the Super Falcons increased their attacking options.

Later in the half, established stars Asisat Oshoala and Deborah Abiodun were also sent on as Madugu chased the breakthrough many had assumed would inevitably arrive.

But while Nigeria pushed forward, it was Malawi who landed the first decisive blow.

In the 73rd minute, Ivy Khumalo produced a superb assist to release Temwa Chawinga, who finished calmly to give Malawi the lead and register the nation’s first-ever goal at a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Six minutes later, the holders were stunned again. Sabina Thom picked out Chawinga with a perfectly weighted pass, and the Malawi skipper raced clear before slotting past Chiamaka Nnadozie to make it 2-0 and silence much of the Nigerian support.

Late drama as Chawinga completes historic hat-trick

Nigeria finally forced a route back into the match deep into added time. In the 92nd minute, captain Rasheedat Ajibade converted confidently from the penalty spot to reduce the deficit to 2-1, briefly reviving hopes of a late rescue act.

The Super Falcons threw players forward in search of an equaliser, but their urgency left spaces at the back. Just three minutes after Ajibade’s goal, Bernadette Mkandawire delivered another incisive pass and Chawinga completed her hat-trick, restoring Malawi’s two-goal cushion at 3-1.

Uchenna Kanu struck in the 99th minute to pull it back to 3-2 and set up a tense finale, but there was no time for Nigeria to complete the comeback. The final whistle confirmed a result that instantly entered the record books of Malawian football.

Chawinga sisters shine as stats underline Malawi’s edge

Much of the pre-match focus had centred on the Chawinga sisters, Temwa and Tabitha, and both played influential roles in Malawi’s victory.

Tabitha Chawinga consistently stretched the Nigerian defence with her movement and work rate, while Temwa’s clinical finishing provided the cutting edge that ultimately settled the contest and delivered what will be remembered as one of African women’s football’s greatest upsets.

Although Nigeria were not overwhelmed statistically, the numbers highlighted Malawi’s efficiency. Both sides recorded 13 shots, with Nigeria managing eight on target to Malawi’s seven. The Scorchers, however, created four big chances compared with Nigeria’s two and, crucially, took theirs.

Kaonga’s six saves further underlined Malawi’s resilience at the back, as they held off sustained spells of Nigerian pressure.

Pressure mounts on Super Falcons in Group C

The defeat leaves Nigeria under immediate pressure in Group C. Having arrived in Morocco aiming to retain their title and further extend their record haul, they now face a far more complicated path to the knockout stages.

Every remaining group fixture will carry increased significance if the Super Falcons are to avoid an early exit and keep alive their hopes of defending the trophy.

For Malawi, though, this was about far more than three points. Beating the continent’s most successful women’s national side in their first WAFCON match announced their arrival on the African stage in emphatic style.

Driven by the brilliance of Temwa Chawinga and inspired by the fearless display of the Chawinga sisters, the Scorchers ensured that any doubts about their place at WAFCON 2026 were swept away the moment the final whistle sounded in Rabat.