The China Mail - Chawinga sisters sparkle as Malawi stun WAFCON holders Nigeria

Temwa, who plays for United States club Kansas City Current, scored twice and Tabitha from French outfit Lyon once in one of the greatest shocks since the WAFCON was launched 28 years ago.

Nigeria (36) have the highest world ranking of the 16 teams competing in the 2026 edition of the African women's football showpiece and Malawi (153) the lowest, a difference of 117 places.

The Nigerians have qualified for all 13 WAFCON tournaments, winning 10, including the last final against hosts Morocco. Malawi are competing for the first time.

Victory for Malawi was the second shock in as many days since the tournament kicked off on Sunday.

Despite being dismissed as no-hopers, Malawi matched Nigeria in a goalless first half at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat.

The first hint of a stunning upset came after 73 minutes when Temwa Chawinga, 27, who is three years younger than Tabitha, opened the scoring.

She took the ball past long-serving Nigerian Chiamaka Nnadozie, rated the best African goalkeeper, and scored from a challenging angle.

Malawi doubled the lead six minutes later when Tabitha Chawinga won a race for possession with England-based Nnadozie and slid the ball into the net.

Lengthy periods of added time, often due to injures, have been a feature of this WAFCON, and the Ugandan referee offered hope to rattled Nigeria by adding nine extra minutes.

The defending champions and 2026 title favourites halved the deficit on 92 minutes when a penalty awarded for handball was converted by captain Rasheedat Ajibade.

But celebrations among Nigerian supporters had barely ceased when Malawi struck a decisive blow. Temwa Chawinga faced Nnadozie again and she deftly lobbed the ball over the 'keeper into the net.

Nigeria had the final chance nine minutes into added time, when Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo got a hand to a Uchenna Kanu shot, but could not prevent it trickling into the net.

But the final whistle blew almost immediately after play restarted, denying Nigeria a chance to score again and snatch a draw.

Malawi lie second in Group C after the stunning triumph, level on three points with southern Africa neighbours Zambia, but behind on goal difference.

Barbra Banda scored four goals and created another as Zambia hammered Egypt 6-0 earlier on Tuesday at another Rabat stadium.

Malawi and Zambia face Egypt and Nigeria respectively in the second series of group matches on Saturday knowing victories would guarantee both quarter-finals places.

U.Feng--ThChM