Nigeria’s quest for an 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title suffered an unexpected setback on Tuesday after the Super Falcons were beaten 3-2 by Malawi in a dramatic Group Stage opener.
The result ranks among the biggest upsets in the competition’s recent history, with the ten-time African champions falling to a determined Malawian side that capitalized on its chances in a thrilling second-half contest.
Despite entering the match as overwhelming favorites, Nigeria struggled to break down Malawi’s disciplined defense during a goalless first half. While the Super Falcons controlled large spells of possession, they failed to convert their dominance into goals, allowing the Scorchers to grow in confidence as the game progressed.
The contest burst into life after the restart.
Malawi seized control with two quick goals from sisters Temwa Chawinga and Tabitha Chawinga, stunning the Nigerian defense and putting the underdogs firmly in command.
Nigeria responded deep into stoppage time when captain Rasheedat Ajibade pulled one back to spark hopes of an unlikely comeback.
However, those hopes were quickly dashed as Temwa Chawinga struck again almost immediately to restore Malawi’s two-goal advantage.
Uchenna Kanu grabbed another goal for Nigeria in the ninth minute of added time, but it proved too late to prevent a famous victory for Malawi, who celebrated one of the greatest wins in their football history.
Ucheibe Remains Optimistic Despite Defeat
Although she remained an unused substitute during the match, Benfica midfielder Christy Ucheibe urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the team, describing the defeat as part of football while acknowledging the rapid improvement of women’s football across Africa.
Speaking after the match, Ucheibe insisted the Super Falcons have the experience and character to recover in their next fixture against Zambia.
“It’s football. Nothing really went wrong. Both teams played very well, and that’s the nature of the game you win, lose, or draw. The important thing is to bounce back. We’ll do everything we can in the next match against Zambia and keep fighting to achieve our objectives,” she said.
The midfielder also revealed the message shared among the players and coaching staff after the final whistle.
According to Ucheibe, the squad encouraged one another to stay positive and avoid dwelling on the disappointing result, reminding themselves that the tournament is far from over.
She pointed to Nigeria’s 2018 WAFCON campaign as proof that an opening defeat does not necessarily end title ambitions. The Super Falcons lost their first match to South Africa that year before recovering to lift the championship.
Ucheibe also praised Malawi’s performance, noting that the growing quality of teams across the continent means no opponent can be taken lightly.
“Every team in Africa is improving. Malawi played a very good game and deserved credit for their performance. We have to respond in the next match and make things right,” she added.
Zambia Clash Now Crucial
Nigeria’s attention now turns to a high-stakes encounter against Zambia, a match that has quickly become pivotal to their hopes of progressing from the group.
The Copper Queens head into the fixture in high spirits after an emphatic 6-0 victory over Egypt, leaving them full of confidence ahead of facing the defending champions.
For the Super Falcons, another slip-up could leave qualification hanging by a thread. A positive response will be expected from a team renowned for its resilience and pedigree on the continental stage.
With the pressure mounting, Nigeria must quickly rediscover the form that has made them Africa’s most successful women’s national team if they are to keep their title defense alive.
