- As Chawinga sisters teach Nigerian ladies football lessons in Rabat
Malawi produced one of the biggest shocks in TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) history by beating record champions Nigeria’s Super Falcons 3-2 in their Group C opener on Tuesday night at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
Playing their first match at the continental finals, the Malawian female national team, nicknamed the Scorchers, stunned the 10-time champions with three second-half goals. Interestingly, it was the Chawinga sisters who taught the Nigerian ladies an unforgettable football lesson in goal scoring.
While Temwa Chawinga scored Malawi’s first and third goals, her sister Tabita Chawinga scored the second as the debutants took a commanding 3-1 lead deep into stoppage time. The Super Falcons scored their first goal through captain Rasheedat Ajibade’s penalty and a late Uchenna Kanu goal failed to spark the much-desired comeback.
Mis-step by Super Falcons
The embarrassing 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, the victory represent a historic statement on their tournament debut, with Nigeria having to endue a damaging start to their title defence and a reminder that their past records hold nothing special at the ongoing tournament in Morocco.
Malawi Breakthrough
With the first half ending goalless, the Malawians upped their game having already shown signs they were ready to compete with Africa’s most successful women’s team.
Though the Super Falcons had spells of possession, they struggled to turn their control into clear chances as Malawi stayed compact, defended with discipline and looked for opportunities to use the pace and quality of the Chawinga sisters in attack.
Despite arriving the competition as underdogs, the Scorchers 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.
Chawinga Sisters Steal The Show
The match tempo changed in the 73rd minute when Temwa Chawinga gave Malawi the lead. With Ireen Khumalo providing the assist, Temwa finished calmly to put the debutants 1-0 up against Nigeria.
Six minutes later, Malawi doubled their advantage and it was Tabita Chawinga found the net this time after being set up by Sabina Thom to give Malawi a stunning 2-0 lead with Nigeria left under intense 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.
Hope Rises From Skipper Ajibade
Pushing forward in the closing stages, Nigeria finally found a way back in the second minute of stoppage time as Ajibade converted from the penalty spot to reduce the deficit to 2-1 and give the Super Falcons hope.
At that point, Nigeria had momentum and looked capable of forcing a late equaliser. But it was the Malawians who struck again before the champions could complete the comeback.
In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Temwa Chawinga scored her second goal of the match, with Benadetta Mkandawire providing the assist to restore Malawi’s two-goal cushion and make the scores 3-1. This proved a decisive moment in the match, giving the Scorchers breathing space in a tense finish.
Kanu’s Goal Too Late Coming
Refusing to surrender easily, the Super Falcons pulled another goal back in the ninth minute of stoppage time through their forward Uchenna Kanu whose great finish made it 3-2 and set up a dramatic final few moments, but Malawi held on for a famous victory.
As the final whistle sounded, time seemed to stand still with the Scorchers etching their name into football immortality, and leaving the legendary Super Falcons stunned in disbelief.
For pundits and avid lovers of the round leather game, the Malawian ladies did not just come to the party, they boldly crashed the gates of African football and left an indelible mark that will be an unforgettable talking point for a long time to come – With CAFonline.com
