Ten-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) championships, Nigeria Women’s National Football Team lost to Malawi in their first ever wafcon match On 3-2 in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the main international women’s football tournament in Africa Organized every two years by the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) which Serves as the official qualification pathway for African nations to the FIFA Women’s World Cup And Zambia prove superior to Egypt with 6-0 in Rabat on Tuesday.
How it happened
Nigeria vs Malawi
The first half between Nigeria and Malawi in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations ended in a goalless 0-0 draw, with Nigeria dominating possession but failing to break through Malawi’s defense because Malawi’s defense stayed compact in their defense with strong discipline, and relied on organized shape to frustrate the Nigerian attack while Nigeria attacker are not to calm at the attacking third of the field.
The start of the second half was tight and scoreless initially following a 0-0 first half, but it exploded into a dramatic five-goal in game starting with goal in the 73rd minute with Temwa Chawinga scoring the first goal and adding a second for Malawi in the 79th minute to make it 2-0 to make Dream start for Malawi.
The Nigeria side pulled one back on (90’+2) from the penalty which was taken by Rasheed at Ajibade but
Malawi were serious on tactics to get third in 90’+5 and Nigeria fought back with late goals from Uchenna Kanu in 90’+9 to make the game end 3-2 in favor of Malawi.
The tactical analysis of the game shows that the Nigeria Super Falcons defense is not compact, which makes them struggle with long balls and allows Malawi counter-attack tactic of playing with the aid of the Nigeria goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, who miscalculated a long ball for the first goal and lack confidence from goalkeeper contribute to the damage.
Zambia vs Egypt
The game between Zambia and Egypt was the first meeting between Zambia and Egypt at WAFCON, but the final whistle made Egyptian emotions invisible.
The game ended 6-0 in favor of Zambia. Racheal Nachula scored the opening goal from the penalty spot as Banda was brought down inside the penalty area.
Zambia’s persistence and pressure led to a second penalty in the 58th minute, awarded by VAR after Prisca Chilufya’s cross struck the hand of Amira Mohamed and was taken by Banda, which led to her first goal of the tournament.
An individual brilliant performance by Banda gave Zambia an emphatic victory at the start of the WAFCON and made her march to history led by Perpetua Nkwocha (Nigeria) – Scored four goals in the 2004 final against Cameroon and Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria) – Scored four goals against Mali during the 2016 tournament.
Actions still continue today with Ghana taking on Cape Verde.
By 9:00 PM