By 
Malawi produced one of the biggest shocks in TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations history by beating record champions Nigeria 3-2 in their Group C opener on Tuesday night.
The Scorchers, playing their first match at the continental finals, stunned the 10-time champions with three second-half goals at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.
Temwa Chawinga scored Malawi’s first and third goals, while her sister Tabita Chawinga added the second as the debutants took a remarkable 3-1 lead deep into stoppage time.
Nigeria responded through a Rasheedat Ajibade penalty and a late Uchenna Kanu goal, but the Super Falcons could not complete the comeback.
The result ended Nigeria’s proud record of never losing to a debutant team at the TotalEnergies WAFCON since the competition began in 1998.
For Malawi, it was a historic statement on their tournament debut.
For Nigeria, it was a damaging start to their title defence and a reminder that their status alone will not be enough in Morocco.
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.
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.
Read More: WAFCON: Zambia show class, thrash Egypt 6-0
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 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.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments