Tournament debutants Malawi produced the biggest upset of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations after defeating defending champions Nigeria 3-2 in a dramatic Group C encounter on Tuesday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The Scorchers claimed a famous victory thanks to goals from sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, while Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade and substitute Uchenna Kanu found the net for Nigeria in a frantic finish.
The defeat leaves the Super Falcons with little margin for error, as they must now secure a positive result against Zambia in their second group game on Saturday to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.
For Malawi, victory over Egypt in their next fixture would guarantee a place in the quarter-finals.
Earlier on Tuesday, Zambia had made a strong statement by thrashing Egypt 6-0, with Barbara Banda scoring four goals to send the Copper Queens to the top of the group.
Malawi threatened early in the contest, but Tosin Demehin produced a timely block to prevent the opening goal.
Nigeria responded with a series of chances, as Esther Okoronkwo's header was comfortably saved in the 18th minute before Ajibade also saw her header from an Okoronkwo corner denied by the Malawian goalkeeper.
Chiamaka Nnadozie was called into action late in the first half, stretching to intercept a dangerous cross that looked destined for a Malawian attacker.
The Super Falcons resumed the second half brightly, with Ajibade forcing another save from the goalkeeper shortly after the restart.
However, it was Malawi who broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when Temwa Chawinga beat the offside trap, rounded Nnadozie, and calmly slotted into the empty net.
Nigeria pushed for an equaliser, but Malawi's disciplined defensive display frustrated the nine-time African champions.
The Scorchers doubled their advantage with 10 minutes remaining after Tabitha Chawinga raced onto a long pass before finishing beneath the advancing Nnadozie.
Ajibade gave Nigeria hope in stoppage time by converting a penalty after Uchenna Kanu's goal-bound header was handled inside the area.
Malawi responded almost immediately, with Temwa Chawinga grabbing her second goal of the evening by lifting the ball over Nnadozie after the goalkeeper rushed off her line to make it 3-1.
Kanu pulled another goal back in the 99th minute, reacting quickest to a loose ball inside the box to reduce the deficit, but it proved too late as Malawi held on to record a memorable victory and claim all three points.