The Super Falcons of Nigeria begin their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title defence on Tuesday when they face tournament debutants Malawi in their opening Group C fixture at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.
Nigeria head into the competition as the reigning African champions and the most successful team in the history of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. But while the Super Falcons have a familiar place at the top of African women’s football, Malawi arrive in Morocco ready to write the first chapter of their own WAFCON story.
For Nigeria, the mission is clear: start with a victory and take another step towards an 11th continental title.
The Super Falcons have history firmly on their side going into the encounter. Tuesday’s meeting will be the first time Nigeria and Malawi face each other at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
It will also be Nigeria’s 18th WAFCON match against a tournament debutant.
The statistics make impressive reading for the nine-time African champions. In their previous 17 matches against teams making their WAFCON debut, Nigeria have recorded 16 victories and one draw. They have never lost to a debutant at the competition.
The only occasion Nigeria failed to win came in 2008, when they were held to a goalless draw by Tunisia.
The Super Falcons have also been ruthless in front of goal in these fixtures, scoring 67 times while conceding just four goals across their previous matches against WAFCON debutants.
That record will give Nigeria confidence, but it is unlikely to mean much once the whistle goes in Rabat.
Malawi have earned their place at the tournament and will be determined to make their debut memorable.
The Scorchers became one of the two debutants at WAFCON 2026, alongside Cape Verde, after overcoming Angola in the qualifiers. Following a goalless draw away from home, Malawi secured their place in Morocco with a 2-0 victory in the return leg, with Faith Chinzimu scoring both goals in the closing stages.
The 19-year-old, who plays her club football for Swedish side BK Häcken, will be one of the players Nigeria will have to keep an eye on.
Malawi will also look to the Chawinga sisters for inspiration, Temwa Chawinga, who plays for Kansas City Current in the United States, and Tabitha Chawinga of French giants Olympique Lyonnais bring valuable international experience to a side appearing at the tournament for the first time.
Their presence means the Super Falcons cannot afford to treat Malawi as ordinary debutants, Nigeria’s own numbers at the WAFCON, however, underline why they remain one of the teams to beat.
The Super Falcons have featured in every previous edition of the competition and will be making their 68th appearance at the finals, more than any other nation.
Nigeria have won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 10 times, including their most recent triumph in 2024, when they produced a remarkable comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final.
That victory restored Nigeria’s place at the summit of African women’s football after they finished fourth at the 2022 tournament.
Now, the target is even bigger, an 11th WAFCON title would further extend Nigeria’s record and also secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Super Falcons have also built an impressive record over the years when it comes to reaching the latter stages of the competition. They have never finished below the semi-finals and have won all 10 finals they have reached.
But their opening-match record also provides a small warning, Nigeria have won nine of their 13 previous opening games at the WAFCON, drawing two and losing two. Their two defeats came against South Africa in 2018 and 2022.
Interestingly, Nigeria have also struggled at times when entering the tournament as defending champions. Their record in nine opening matches as holders stands at five wins, two draws and two defeats.
The two defeats again came against South Africa, in 2018 and 2022, that history is unlikely to be lost on head coach Justine Madugu and his players.
Madugu, who guided Nigeria to their 10th WAFCON crown at the last edition and was named Coach of the Tournament, will be aiming to ensure his side does not suffer another slow start.
The coach will also be hoping that the experience within his squad can help Nigeria handle the pressure that comes with being the defending champions.
The Super Falcons have already made their ambitions clear. They want to retain their African crown, qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and continue Nigeria’s long-standing dominance on the continent.
But Malawi have their own motivation, for the Scorchers, this is a chance to announce themselves on one of African football’s biggest stages. Their recent progress in the COSAFA region, including winning their first COSAFA Women’s Championship title in 2023, shows that their rise has not happened by accident.
Coach Lovemore Fazili has also added experienced technical advisor Sudesh Singh to his staff as Malawi look to make the most of their historic appearance.
The Scorchers have reached the semi-finals of three of the last five COSAFA Women’s Championships, proving that their WAFCON debut is the latest step in a wider rise for women’s football in the country.
For the Super Falcons, though, there is no room for sentiment.
Nigeria know that a strong start could set the tone for their entire campaign. With Zambia and Egypt also in Group C, every point will matter in the race for qualification to the knockout stages.
The pressure is on the champions, but so is the opportunity, nigeria have the experience. They have the history. They have the numbers, Malawi have the hunger and the freedom that comes with being tournament debutants.
When the two teams meet in Rabat, the Super Falcons will be expected to show why they remain the queens of African women’s football, but football has a habit of ignoring history.
For Nigeria, the challenge is to make sure that history becomes an advantage, not a burden, the road to an 11th WAFCON title starts against Malawi, and the Super Falcons will know that the first step is simple: win, perform and begin the defence with authority.
