Nigeria’s Super Falcons begin the defence of their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown on Tuesday night with history, legacy, and World Cup qualification firmly in sight as they face tournament debutants Malawi in Rabat, Morocco.
For Africa’s most successful women’s football team, the 2026 WAFCON is about more than retaining their continental dominance. It is an opportunity to extend their record to an unprecedented 11th African title while securing qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Fresh from lifting their 10th continental crown in Rabat last year, the Super Falcons return to the Moroccan capital determined to write another memorable chapter. Coach Justine Madugu’s side will take on the Scorchers of Malawi at Stade El Barid, hoping to make an early statement in Group C.
The tournament also doubles as the qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with all four semi-finalists guaranteed automatic qualification.
Nigeria enter the competition as overwhelming favourites. Blending experienced internationals with an exciting crop of emerging talents, the Super Falcons boast a squad featuring players from Europe’s top leagues and the United States, giving Madugu plenty of quality across every department.
Their confidence has also been boosted by a 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their final warm-up match, while they secured qualification for the tournament after overcoming the Benin Republic.
Malawi, meanwhile, are making history with their maiden WAFCON appearance. Although regarded as underdogs, the Scorchers possess genuine attacking quality through the dangerous Chawinga sisters, captain Temwa Chawinga and Tabitha Chawinga, who will be expected to lead their charge against the defending champions.
Preparation has not been entirely smooth for the Malawians, who arrived in Morocco following a period of internal disputes involving players and their football federation. They also suffered a 4-0 defeat to Ghana in a pre-tournament friendly, but Coach Lovemore Fazili will hope his side can rise to the occasion against Africa’s most decorated women’s national team.
Nigeria and Malawi have never met at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, but both countries faced each other during the qualifiers for the 2014 African Women’s Championship.
The first leg in Malawi ended in a 1-1 draw before the Super Falcons secured a 2-0 victory in the return fixture to progress. Overall, Nigeria remain unbeaten against the Scorchers with one win and one draw.
The Super Falcons head into the opener with an almost fully fit squad. Defender Ashleigh Plumptre remains unavailable as she continues her recovery from injury, but Coach Madugu has a wealth of options across the pitch.
Malawi’s hopes will largely rest on the brilliance of Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, whose pace, movement, and goalscoring ability make them the biggest attacking threat to Nigeria’s ambitions of opening the tournament with maximum points.
Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026
Fixture: Nigeria vs Malawi
Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Kick-off: 9:00 pm (WAT)
Venue: Stade Al-Madina Rabat, Morocco
With an 11th continental title and a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup at stake, the Super Falcons know that every successful campaign begins with a convincing first step. Against an ambitious Malawi side eager to upset the champions, Nigeria will be aiming to underline why they remain the undisputed queens of African women’s football.
