The Malawi Women’s National Football Team, Scorchers produced one of the biggest upsets in the history of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Tuesday night after defeating record champions Nigeria 3-2 in a dramatic Group C opener at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.
Making their first-ever appearance at the continental finals, the Scorchers stunned the 10-time African champions with an outstanding second-half performance inspired by sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, who combined for all three goals to hand Malawi a famous victory.
The opening half had ended goalless, with Malawi frustrating the tournament favourites through disciplined defending and a well-organised tactical display.
Despite Nigeria enjoying more possession, the Super Falcons struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against a determined Malawi side that looked dangerous every time the Chawinga sisters surged forward.
Temwa opened the scoring in the 73rd minute after being set up by Ireen Khumalo before Tabitha doubled the advantage six minutes later from Sabina Thom’s assist, leaving the defending champions shell-shocked.
Although Nigeria responded through Rasheedat Ajibade’s stoppage-time penalty, Temwa restored Malawi’s two-goal cushion moments later with her second goal of the night after Benadetta Mkandawire provided the assist.
Uchenna Kanu pulled another goal back deep into added time, but the Super Falcons could not find an equaliser as Malawi held on to secure a memorable victory that sent shockwaves across African football.
Speaking after the match, Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili praised his players for believing in themselves and delivering when it mattered most.
While celebrating the famous victory, Fazili insisted the job was far from over as Malawi still have two crucial group matches remaining.
“The game was very good, an excellent game for that matter. The players performed very well and showed they are capable of delivering. I am a very, very happy person because of the performance they produced.
“The only thing we wanted today was to win this game, but the battle is still on. We still have two games to go. This one is gone, we have given Malawians the victory, and now we look ahead to Egypt and Zambia,” he said.
Fazili attributed much of the team’s attacking improvement to the reunion of Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, saying the duo had transformed Malawi’s frontline.
The coach also revealed that Malawi’s improved finishing was no accident, saying the technical panel had spent considerable time addressing the team’s shortcomings in front of goal after recent friendly matches against Morocco and Ghana.
“Most of the time we have been losing games because we didn’t have sharp strikers. But today Temwa and Tabitha were together, and we knew something was going to happen. They created many chances and utilised them. We have beaten Nigeria, and it is important that these two sisters continue playing together alongside the local players so that we can keep doing well,” he said.
The victory sees Malawi move into second place in Group C with three points, behind leaders Zambia, who thrashed Egypt 6-0 in the other group match on Tuesday.
The Scorchers will look to build on their dream start when they face Egypt on August 1 before concluding their group stage campaign against Zambia on August 5, as they seek to secure a place in the knockout stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
