Justin Madungu
* The Malawians are a good side — we are all aware of that. They have very good players and we know they prepared very well
* It’s a testament to the development of the game across the continent. They did well, they played well and they got the result they probably worked for
By Duncan Mlanjira
Nigeria coach Justin Madugu, while attributing their defeat to Malawi “costly mistakes” from his team’s defence, praised the Scorchers’ preparation and development in recent years.
Quoted by ACLsports.com Madugu also insisted that the Super Falcons did not underestimate the Scorchers, saying: “The Malawians are a good side — we are all aware of that.
“They have very good players and we know they prepared very well. It’s a testament to the development of the game across the continent.
“They did well, they played well and they got the result they probably worked for.”
He also dismissed suggestions that social media activity affected the team’s performance, insisting the squad remained focused on its objectives.
“Before we came here, we knew what we were coming for and we didn’t really allow that to distract us.
“We have tried the best that we could to ensure that it does not serve as a distraction to the team.”
Automatic qualification into the quarterfinals from the Scorchers second Group C match on Saturday will be guaranteed if they beat Egypt, who lost 0-6 to Zambia on Tuesday.
While Nigeria will face their rivals Zambia, whom they beat 5-0 in their previous WAfCON encounter.
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The Nigeria coach told ACLsports.com that they would analyse the defeat and make the necessary adjustments, while drawing confidence from Nigeria’s recovery after losing their opening match at the 2018 tournament.
“We have to go back and analyse the game and see what actually went wrong and then determine how we get over it,” the coach is quoted as saying.
“In 2018, we found ourselves in the same situation. We lost our first game against South Africa and eventually we played South Africa again in the final and defeated them to win the trophy in Ghana. We strongly believe that we can overcome it.”
Forward Esther Okoronkwo admitted that Nigeria fell below expectations against Malawi but backed the team to respond positively in their next outing.
“We came out a little flat, but it is what it is. We’ll learn from this, go back, learn our lessons, see where we need to improve, and come back better in the next game,” said Okoronkwo, who was pulled out in the final stages against the Scorchers for former African Women Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala.
The Scorchers have won increased visibility across the continent for the achievement against the 10-time WAfCON title winners and defending champions.
“Despite matching Malawi with 13 shots and enjoying more possession, Nigeria struggled to make their dominance count,” reports Pulseonline.
“Malawi created the better opportunities, registering four big chances compared to Nigeria’s two, and displayed ruthless efficiency in front of goal.”
The result has been described as one of the greatest shocks since the WAfCON was launched 28 years ago in which Nigerians have qualified for all 13 finals — winning 10, including the last final against hosts Morocco.
Nigeria have the highest world ranking of the 16 teams competing in the 2026 edition (36th) with Malawi, competing for the first time, having the lowest at 153 — a difference of 117 places.
“Despite being dismissed as no-hopers, Malawi matched Nigeria in a goalless first half at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat,” reports SuperSport.
“The result ended Nigeria’s proud record of never losing to WAfCON debutantes since the competition began in 1998 and for the Malawi, it was a historic statement on their tournament debut,” reports CAFonline
“For Nigeria, it was a damaging start to their title defence and a reminder that their status alone will not be enough in Morocco.
Goalless first half before Malawi breakthrough
The first half ended without a goal, but Malawi had already shown signs that they were prepared to compete with Africa’s most successful women’s team.
Nigeria had spells of possession, but they struggled to turn their control into clear chances. Malawi stayed compact, defended with discipline and looked for opportunities to use the pace and quality of the Chawinga sisters in attack.
The Scorchers had arrived as underdogs, but they did not play like a team intimidated by the occasion.
Their organisation kept Nigeria frustrated through the opening period, and the longer the match stayed goalless, the more Malawi grew in belief.
Chawinga sisters put Malawi in control
The match changed in the 73rd minute when Temwa Chawinga gave Malawi the lead. Ireen Khumalo provided the assist, and Temwa finished to put the debutants 1-0 up against the defending champions.
Six minutes later, Malawi doubled their advantage. This time Tabita Chawinga found the net after being set up by Sabina Thom, giving Malawi a stunning 2-0 lead and leaving Nigeria under serious pressure.
It was a remarkable spell from the sisters, whose quality had been identified before the tournament as central to Malawi’s hopes.
Their goals gave the Scorchers control of the match and put Nigeria in danger of a major opening-day defeat.
Nigeria pushed forward in the closing stages and finally found a way back in the second minute of stoppage time. Ajibade converted from the penalty spot to reduce the deficit to 2-1 and give the Super Falcons hope.
At that point, Nigeria had momentum and looked capable of forcing a late equaliser — but Malawi struck again before the champions could complete the comeback.
In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Temwa Chawinga scored her second goal of the match, with Benadetta Mkandawire providing the assist.
That goal restored Malawi’s two-goal cushion and made it 3-1 and it was the decisive moment of the match, giving the Scorchers breathing space in a tense finish.
Nigeria refused to give up and pulled another goal back in the ninth minute of stoppage time through Kanu.
The forward’s finish made it 3-2 and set up a dramatic final few moments, but Malawi held on for a famous victory.
The final whistle confirmed a historic result for the Scorchers and a painful defeat for the Super Falcons as Malawi have announced themselves on the African stage in unforgettable fashion.—Match report by CAFonline
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
Today, 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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