* Chawinga sisters complement a spirited performance from the Scorchers in their first-ever WAfCON appearance
* They were 2-0 up at 90 minutes before Nigeria pulled one back in 90+3 before Temwa claimed her brace in 90+5
* The Scorchers share 3 points with Zambia in Group C, who earlier annihilated Egypt 6-0 with Temwa’s goal scoring rival in the US National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Barbra Banda netting four
By Duncan Mlanjira
Malawi Scorchers announced their debut appearance of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) by registering the biggest upset ever at the tournament after beating 10-time winners and defending champions Nigeria 3-2.
The girls from the Warm Heart of Africa were in a class of their own completely obscuring the top-class stars in the Super Falcons side with a display of lovely and scintillating performance throughout the match.
The Super Falcons just couldn’t believe that they are being outclassed and out-maneuvered at every touch of the ball as they worked extra hard to contain aggressive attacks from the Chawinga sisters, Temwa and Tabitha.
The two sisters were being provided with good passes from the compact midfield, thus giving the Falcons defence a torrid time.
What was unbelievable was the Scorchers being 2-0 up at 90 minutes before Nigeria pulled one back in 90+3 from the penalty spot following a handball in the box.
Temwa opened the scored in the 73rd minute beating one of African women’s best goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who has been named Africa’s best for the past three years.
Her sister Tabitha added the second in the 80th and the Scorchers continued to attack than defending up to the 90th regulation time before eight minutes were added for stoppage time.
Under pressure in the box, when the Super Falcons threw out defending caution, goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo safely gathered the ball but there was an appeal for handball.
After VAR reviewed a penalty was given that was converted in 90+3 but two minutes later Temwa sprinted towards a through ball from the centre and lobbed it over advancing Nnadozie make it 3-1.
The Super Falcons fought on and managed to pull another back but it was too late as eight minutes of time added was over at 90+8.
The Scorchers, who next meet Egypt, tie on three points with Zambia in Group C, who earlier annihilated the Cleopatras 6-0 with Temwa’s goal scoring rival in the US National Women’s Soccer League)NWSL), Barbra Banda netting four.
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Barbra, who now leads the race for the Golden Boot, was on fire at the Olympic Stadium when she first scored from the penalty spot in the 59th minute after Zambia had already taken the lead also from the spot in the 42nd through Racheal Nachula.
Then she placed a brilliant header past the goalkeeper three minutes later near post and completed her hat-trick in the 86th.
Eneles Phiri made it 5-0 in the 90+2 and Barbra completed her two braces in the 90+6.
The Scorchers are playing next against 10-time winners and defending champions, Nigeria, at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat in what has been described as a Goliath v David encounter.
The tournament kicked off on Sunday with hosts Morocco sweeping aside Kenya 4-0 in Group A match at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat while their north African neighbours, Algeria, overcame Senegal 2-0.
On Monday, resilient Tanzania edged South Africa 2-1 in closely contested Group B opener played at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
In the other Group B match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca Côte d’Ivoire made a powerful return to the WAfCON with a 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso.
Tanzania celebrate
Results and fixtures (kick-off times CAT beamed live on SuperSport live on DStv Channel 225 (https://dstv.stream) and on GOtv Channel 61 (https://gotv.stream):
Group stages
Group A
Algeria 2-0 Senegal
Morocco 4-0 Kenya
Thursday, July 30
Senegal v Kenya (19h00)
Morocco v Algeria (22h00)
Monday, August 3
Senegal Morocco (22h00)
Kenya v Algeria (22h00)
Group B
South Africa 1-2 Tanzania
Côte d’Ivoire 4-1 Burkina Faso
Friday, July 31
South Africa v Côte d’Ivoire (19h00)
Burkina Faso v Tanzania (22h00)
Tuesday, August 4
Burkina Faso v South Africa (22h00)
Tanzania v Côte d’Ivoire (22h00)
Group C
Zambia 6-0 Egypt
Nigeria 3-2 Malawi
Saturday, August 1
Egypt v Malawi (19h00)
Nigeria v Zambia (22h00)
Wednesday, August 5
Egypt v Nigeria (22h00)
Malawi v Zambia (22h00)
Group D
Wednesday, July 29
Ghana v Cape Verde (19h00)
Cameroon vs Mali (22h00)
Sunday, August 2
Ghana v Cameroon (19h00)
Mali v Cape Verde (22h00)
Thursday, August 6
Mali v Ghana (22h00)
Cape Verde v Cameroon (22h00)
Quarterfinals
Saturday, August 8
QF 2: Winner Group B v 2nd Place Group A (19h00)
QF 1: Winner Group A v 2nd Place Group B (22h00)
Sunday, August 9
QF 4: Winner Group D v 2nd Place Group C (19h00)
QF 3: Winner Group C v 2nd Place Group D (22h00)
Semifinals
Wednesday, August 12
SF2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3 (19h00)
SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF4 (22h00)
World Cup 2027 play-off matches
Thursday, August 13
Loser QF2 v Loser QF3 (19h00)
Loser QF1 v Loser QF4 (22h00)
Third place play-off
Saturday, August 15
Loser SF1 v Loser SF2 (19h00)
WAfCON 2026 final
Sunday, August 16
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 (Moulay Hassan Stadium or Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, (21h00)
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In the other Group B match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca Côte d’Ivoire made a powerful return to the WAfCON with a 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso.