By Akinwale Kasali
Women’s African Cup of Nations, WAFCON, debutants, the Scorchers of Malawi, shocked the Super Falcons of Nigeria, defeating the WAFCON defending Champions 3-2 in their Opening Group C encounter.
A brace from Temwa Chawinga and a strike from her Sister, Tabitha Chawinga gave the Malawians a historic victory that shocked the continent and the world at large.
The five goal thriller saw the Malawians sticking to their gameplan of absorbing the pressure and not allowing the Super Falcons have a free flow of passes, as they rely on pace, power and fluidity of the Chawinga Sister on a counter attack.
After a goalless first half with the Super Falcons been lackadaisical, as they fail to create chances and dominate the game.
The Malawian defense was compact as they halted all the moves of Folashade Ijamilusi, Esther Okoronkwo, Rasheedat Ajibade and Jennifer Echegini in the Nigerian attack.
Temwa Chawinga however broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute as she beat the offside trap to round up Goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie to give the Southern African side the lead.
Her Sister, Tabitha Chawinga added the second goal after a defensive mix up, slotting the past the on rushing Nnadozie to give the Malawians a Two goal lead.
Coach Justine Maduagu brought in Uchenna Kanu and Asisat Oshoala to salvage the game.
This however paid off as a Kanu header hit the hand of a Malawian defender resulting to a Penalty which was converted by Rasheedat Ajibade.
As the Super Falcons pressured to at least get a draw from the game, they were caught off guard, as Temwa Chawinga lob the ball past Nnadozie who was caught in a man’s land to give her team a 3-1 lead.
Kanu however scored late in added time to make the result a little bit respectable making it 3-2.
With the loss, the Super Falcons need to win their remaining two matches against the Coppers of Zambia and the Female Pharaoh’s of Egypt.
The possibility of the Super Falcons qualifying for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil hangs in the balance, as they face Zambia on August 1, 2026 for their second Group C Game.
Zambia already has Three points having defeated Egypt 6-0 in theor opening match.
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