Temwa Chawinga bags brace as debutants Malawi stun Nigeria in WAFCON thriller

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/chawinga-temwa/YsBEfouC/"]Temwa Chawinga[/a] was the star of the show, scoring twice in the second half to inspire the Scorchers to a historic victory over the 10-time African champions.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nigeria/KbvGP3KC/"]Nigeria[/a] entered the contest as firm favourites, boasting the tournament’s most successful record and a squad packed with experience and quality.[/p][p]The Super Falcons started brightly and controlled much of the possession, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ohale-osinachi/4GHNKWw6/"]Osinachi Ohale[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/okoronkwo-esther/GAmpiVyD/"]Esther Okoronkwo[/a] coming close to breaking the deadlock. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/malawi/A3EAueis/"]Malawi[/a], however, remained disciplined and looked dangerous on the counter-attack.[/p][p]Their first significant opportunity arrived in the 38th minute when Temwa forced Nigeria goalkeeper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/nnadozie-chiamaka/tnZ6xVli/"]Chiamaka Nnadozie[/a] into a save. Two minutes later, Nigeria appealed for a penalty after Okoronkwo appeared to have been brought down by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/khumalo-ireen/riz7C2kU/"]Ireen Khumalo[/a], but referee Aline Umutoni waved play on.[/p][p]The West Africans continued to dominate possession after the break, but their attacking partnership of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ihezuo-chinwendu/EoGWhTT1/"]Chinwendu Ihezuo[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ijamilusi-folashade/YebSMkk4/"]Folashade Ijamilusi[/a] struggled to seriously trouble Malawi goalkeeper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sikelo-mercy/29UYdt3B/"]Mercy Sikelo[/a].[/p][p]In the 50th minute, Malawi thought they had taken the lead when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/chawinga-tabita/SfwRDQaJ/"]Tabitha Chawinga[/a] found the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Captain [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ajibade-rasheedat/tIgP08Sp/"]Rasheedat Ajibade[/a] then saw her header from an inswinging cross comfortably saved by Sikelo.[/p][p]With the match seemingly heading towards a draw, Malawi finally broke the deadlock through Temwa. The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/kansas-city-current/nHE01nbk/"]Kansas City Current[/a] forward capitalised on a defensive lapse and finished past Nnadozie, who had come off her line. Despite VAR checks, the goal stood.[/p][p] [/p][embed guid="ce3c5ecb-fc4b-43c0-a31c-64835f977ddc" url="https://x.com/CAFwomen/status/2082227553134096751" social-type="twitter" /][p] [/p][p]The Scorchers doubled their advantage six minutes later as Tabitha Chawinga produced a composed finish after being set up by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/thom-sabina/ryqASJmo/"]Sabina Thom[/a].[/p][p]Coach [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vanhaevermaet-justine/bB92GrEe/"]Justine Madugu[/a] responded with attacking changes, bringing on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/oshoala-asisat/bHC07VMC/"]Asisat Oshoala[/a] for Okoronkwo after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kanu-uchenna/zoOO6b89/"]Uchenna Kanu[/a] had replaced Ihezuo. The substitutions immediately gave Nigeria renewed momentum.[/p][p]The Super Falcons were awarded a penalty when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mkandawire-vitumbiko/OfsMJCuf/"]Bernadetta Mkandawire[/a] was adjudged to have handled Kanu’s header inside the box. Ajibade calmly converted from the spot to reduce the deficit and give Nigeria hope of a comeback.[/p][p]However, Malawi punished another defensive mistake as Temwa completed her brace to restore the Scorchers’ two-goal advantage.[/p][p]Nigeria continued to push forward and Kanu scored late to make it 3-2, but Malawi held firm during the closing stages to secure a famous victory.[/p][p]The defeat leaves Nigeria with work to do in their next Group C fixture against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/zambia/rmKdcHAi/"]Zambia[/a], who earlier thrashed Egypt 6-0. The Super Falcons must now respond quickly to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.[/p][p]The tournament’s four semi-finalists will qualify for Africa’s four places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.[/p]