Malawi announced themselves on the continental stage in spectacular fashion after defeating defending champions Nigeria 3-2 in their opening Group C match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The tournament newcomers produced one of the biggest upsets in WAFCON history, with captain Temwa Chawinga delivering a memorable hat-trick to inspire her country’s first-ever victory in the competition.
The result also earned Malawi their maiden three points on their debut appearance at the continental championship.
Chawinga’s first goal was a landmark moment, as it became the first goal ever scored by Malawi at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Her remarkable performance then ensured that historic milestone was accompanied by an unforgettable victory over Africa’s most successful women’s national team.
Despite a quiet opening 73 minutes, the contest exploded into life in the closing stages. Five goals were scored in the final 17 minutes, including three in stoppage time, with Malawi producing a clinical display to stun the ten-time African champions.
Chawinga Steals The Spotlight
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 73rd minute when Chawinga found the back of the net to hand Malawi a deserved lead. The forward doubled her tally six minutes later in the game, leaving Nigeria with a mountain to climb as the defending champions struggled to contain the relentless attacking threat.
Nigeria responded in the second minute of stoppage time when captain Rasheedat Ajibade converted from the penalty spot to reduce the deficit and spark hopes of a late comeback.
However, Malawi quickly restored their two-goal cushion. Three minutes after Ajibade’s strike, Chawinga completed a historic hat-trick to become the second player to score three or more goals at the 2026 WAFCON. She follows Zambia’s Barbara Banda, who netted four times in her side’s emphatic 6-0 victory over Egypt in the other Group C fixture.
Uchenna Kanu pulled another goal back for Nigeria five minutes later, but the late effort proved only a consolation as Malawi held on to secure one of the most memorable victories in the nation’s football history.
Group C Takes Shape
The result leaves Group C finely balanced after the opening round of matches. Zambia sit top of the standings with three points and a superior goal difference of +6 following their dominant win over Egypt, while Malawi occupy second place after their famous triumph.
Nigeria, meanwhile, find themselves third without a point, ahead of Egypt, who are bottom after their heavy defeat. For the reigning champions, the loss represents a disappointing start to a campaign that began with ambitions of retaining the continental crown.
Attention now shifts to the second round of Group C fixtures, where Nigeria face Zambia in a match that could prove decisive for their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages. A second consecutive defeat would leave the Super Falcons in a difficult position and significantly weaken their chances of defending the title.
Malawi, on the other hand, will take on Egypt full of confidence after their dream start. Another victory would put the debutants in a commanding position to qualify for the knockout phase and continue what is already shaping up to be a remarkable first appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
For now, though, the headlines belong to Temwa Chawinga. Her historic hat-trick not only secured Malawi’s first WAFCON goal and first victory, but also delivered one of the tournament’s greatest opening-night shocks by bringing Nigeria’s title defence to an unexpected halt.
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