Nigeria head coach Justine Madugu has admitted the Super Falcons failed to match Malawi’s intensity after the defending champions suffered one of the biggest upsets in Women’s Africa Cup of Nations history with a 3-2 defeat to the tournament debutants.
The loss in Rabat handed Nigeria a disappointing start to their 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign and ended the Super Falcons’ remarkable record of never losing to a debutant nation since the competition began in 1998.
Malawi’s famous victory was inspired by sisters Temwa and Tabita Chawinga, with Temwa scoring twice and Tabita adding the third as the Scorchers stunned the 10-time African champions in their first-ever WAFCON match.
Although Nigeria mounted a late comeback through captain Rasheedat Ajibade and substitute Uchenna Kanu, the Super Falcons were unable to recover after falling behind.
The result has immediately increased the pressure on the defending champions as they attempt to keep their title defence on track.
Reflecting on the defeat, Madugu admitted his players fell below the standards required at the continental tournament and praised Malawi for capitalising on Nigeria’s mistakes.
“This is a wake-up call for all of us. We went onto the pitch without the necessary intensity against a very determined and disciplined Malawi team, who knew how to exploit our every defensive error.
“This defeat hurts, but it must serve as a collective lesson. No nation should be underestimated in African football today. We will analyze this match calmly, correct our lack of alignment, and work tirelessly to approach the next match with a completely different mindset.”
His assessment echoed what unfolded on the pitch, where Nigeria struggled to convert their early dominance into clear opportunities while Malawi remained dangerous on the counterattack throughout the contest.
The Super Falcons enjoyed more possession during large spells of the game but lacked their usual cutting edge in the final third.
Malawi, meanwhile, demonstrated composure beyond their tournament experience.
Led by the pace and finishing ability of Temwa Chawinga, the Scorchers consistently exposed gaps in the Nigerian defence before taking control of the match with three goals.
Temwa struck twice, while sister Tabita also found the net as Malawi built what proved to be an unassailable advantage despite Nigeria’s late response.
The victory represented a landmark moment not only for Malawi but also for African women’s football, underlining the growing competitiveness of the continental game.
For years, Nigeria have been regarded as the dominant force in African women’s football, winning a record 10 WAFCON titles and setting the benchmark for other nations.
Nigeria will now be expected to respond strongly in their next outing against Zambia.
