Super Falcons Bounce Back | How Nigeria Survived Its Biggest WAFCON Scare
Few results in recent Women's Africa Cup of Nations history have raised as many eyebrows as Malawi's opening-match shock over Nigeria. Four days later, the Super Falcons answered every question about their title defence with a gritty response against Zambia.
The Malawi Upset That Shook Group C
Tournament debutants Malawi produced one of the biggest upsets in WAFCON history, beating 10-time champions Nigeria 3-2 in their Group C opener in Rabat. The Chawinga sisters were at the heart of it - Temwa scored twice either side of a goal from her sister Tabitha, building a 3-1 lead deep into stoppage time. Nigeria's response, a Rasheedat Ajibade penalty and a last-gasp Uchenna Kanu finish, arrived just too late to salvage a point.
The defeat left the defending champions bottom of Group C without a point, and firmly on the back foot heading into their next fixture.
The Response: Nigeria Grind Out a Win Over Zambia
Under real pressure, and reduced to 10 players for more than half the match after a first-half red card to Oluwatosin Demehin, Nigeria found a way. Six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala scored the only goal of the game in the eighth minute, latching onto a pass from captain Rasheedat Ajibade to beat the Zambian goalkeeper.
It was the kind of disciplined, backs-to-the-wall performance that has defined Nigeria's decade of dominance in the women's game on the continent - and it kept their bid for an 11th WAFCON title alive.
What It Means Going Forward
Nigeria now needs the right result in their final group match against Egypt to confirm a place in the knockout stage. Given their squad depth - featuring Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal and a forward line built around Oshoala, Uchenna Kanu and Chinwendu Ihezuo - few would bet against the Super Falcons finding a way through, even after the toughest possible start.
This tournament has been a reminder that in African women's football, the gap between the traditional powers and the chasing pack continues to narrow. For North African fans following the tournament from Morocco and beyond, the closing stages of Group C are must-watch football.