Nigeria's Title Defence Rocked by Shock Malawi Defeat
WAFCON's most decorated side opened the defence of its crown with a stunning 3-2 loss to tournament debutants Malawi, throwing Nigeria's bid for an 11th continental title into early jeopardy.
Malawi's Chawinga sisters stun the champions
Nigeria never lost to a WAFCON debutant in 17 previous meetings, but that record fell apart at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on July 28. Temwa Chawinga struck twice, in the 75th and 90+5th minutes, either side of a Tabitha Chawinga goal in the 79th, to put Malawi 3-1 up in stoppage time. Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu both scored for Nigeria, in the 90+2nd and 90+9th minutes, but the Super Falcons ran out of time.
Ten titles and counting
The Super Falcons beat hosts Morocco in the 2024 final to claim a tenth WAFCON crown, extending their record as the tournament's dominant force since the competition began in 1991. This is now the third time Nigeria have lost an opening group game, and the first time it has come against a debutant nation.
A tricky Group C gets trickier
Nigeria were drawn into Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and debutants Malawi, with all group games played in Rabat. Zambia beat Egypt 6-0 in the group's other opening fixture, meaning Nigeria now sit bottom of the table after Matchday 1 and face Zambia next in a must-not-lose Matchday 2 fixture.
Defending a crown on the road
Unlike 2024, when Nigeria faced a Morocco side backed by a raucous home crowd in the final, this year the Super Falcons arrived in North Africa as the away favourites — a role that suited them for three decades of continental football, until Matchday 1.
What's next
Nigeria face Zambia in their second Group C game on Saturday, August 1, needing a result to keep their title defence and their 11th-crown bid alive, with the tournament running through to the August 16 final.
Sources: CAF Online, July 2026.