The Super Falcons will begin the defence of their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown when they face tournament debutants Malawi in their Group C opener at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday.
Nigeria head into the tournament as reigning champions after defeating hosts Morocco 3-2 in a dramatic final to secure a record-extending 10th WAFCON title. Justin Madugu’s side are now targeting an unprecedented 11th continental crown.
The Super Falcons are no strangers to defending their title successfully. They have retained the WAFCON trophy on six previous occasions, achieving the feat in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2016 and 2018. After missing out on the title in 2022 before reclaiming it in the last edition, Nigeria will be hoping to launch another successful title defence.
History favours the ten-time African champions against tournament newcomers. Tuesday’s encounter will be Nigeria’s 18th WAFCON match against a debutant nation. In the previous 17 such fixtures, the Super Falcons have won 16 and drawn one, scoring 67 goals while conceding just four.
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Nigeria have also enjoyed an impressive record in tournament openers, winning nine of their 13 previous opening matches, alongside two draws and two defeats.
However, both losses came in two of the last three editions, when they were beaten by South Africa in 2018 and again in 2022 while entering the competition as defending champions.
Madugu’s side will be determined to avoid another opening-match defeat and make a winning start to their latest title defence.
Malawi are one of two nations making their WAFCON debut at the 2026 tournament, alongside Cape Verde.
Coached by Lovemore Fazili, who has previously managed Malawi’s men’s under-20 and under-23 national teams, the Scorchers will be aiming to make an immediate impact on the continental stage.
The East Africans boast one of the tournament’s most dangerous attacking duos in sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga.
Tabitha, who plays for French giants Lyon, has established herself as one of Africa’s leading forwards and was named in the CAF Women’s Team of the Year in both 2023 and 2024.
Her younger sister, Temwa, stars for NWSL side Kansas City Current and played a pivotal role in Malawi’s maiden COSAFA Women’s Championship triumph in 2023. She finished the tournament as both Golden Boot winner with nine goals and recipient of the Golden Ball award.
Another player to watch is 19-year-old Faith Chinzimu. The highly-rated BK Häcken midfielder, who is a club teammate of Nigeria’s Halimatu Ayinde, scored both goals in Malawi’s 2-0 victory over Angola that sealed the country’s historic qualification for the WAFCON.
Despite Nigeria’s superior pedigree and impressive record against debutants, the Super Falcons will be wary of a Malawi side eager to mark their first appearance at WAFCON with a major upset.
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