Rabat – The 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off Tuesday night with defending champions Nigeria facing off against tournament newcomers Malawi in the opening match of Group C at Al Madinah Stadium in Rabat.
Scheduled for 9 PM Moroccan time (WET), Nigeria aims to launch its title defense, while Malawi looks to make a historic debut in Africa’s premier women’s football tournament.
Match Overview
Teams: Nigeria vs. Malawi
Competition: WAFCON 2026 – Group C
Venue: Al Madinah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco
Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Kick-off: 21:00 WET (Morocco) / 20:00 UTC / 21:00 WAT / 22:00 CAT
Viewing Information
In Morocco/MENA: Alyadia (SNRT), beIN Sports
In Nigeria: NTA Sports, Super Sports
In Malawi: Super Sports, MBC TV
International Streaming: CAF TV (YouTube) in select regions
Nigeria Pursues a Historic 11th Title
Nigeria enters the tournament as the continent’s most successful women’s national team, having won the WAFCON trophy 10 times. The Super Falcons clinched the title in 2024 after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Morocco, overcoming a two-goal deficit in the final.
This match marks Nigeria’s 68th appearance in WAFCON history, more than any other nation. The team has consistently reached at least the semi-finals in every tournament they have participated in. Securing their 11th title would also guarantee Nigeria a spot in their 10th FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Super Falcons have an impressive track record against first-time participants in the tournament. They have faced debutant teams 17 times, achieving 16 wins and one draw, while conceding just four goals. Their only drop in performance came during a goalless draw with Tunisia in 2008.
This match will be the first-ever meeting between Nigeria and Malawi in WAFCON history.
Malawi Aims for a Memorable Debut
The Scorchers are set to make history by participating in the Women’s African Cup of Nations for the first time. Malawi secured their spot in the tournament after defeating Angola 2-0 on aggregate, with 19-year-old Faith Chinjimu netting both goals.
Head coach Lovemore Fazili arrives in Morocco following a landmark victory in the 2023 COSAFA Women’s Championship. The technical staff received a boost with the appointment of experienced coach Sudesh Singh as a technical advisor ahead of the tournament.
Despite being newcomers, Malawi boasts one of Africa’s most formidable attacking partnerships with sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga. Tabitha competes for the esteemed French club Olympique Lyonnais, while Temwa plays for Kansas City Current in the United States, offering the Scorchers world-class talent while lacking prior WAFCON exposure.
Team Updates
Nigeria heads into the opening match with a fully fit roster, facing no issues regarding suspensions. Head coach Justin Madugu, who guided the Super Falcons to the 2024 title and earned recognition as Coach of the Tournament, is expected to field a powerful lineup featuring captain Rashidat Ajibade and CAF Goalkeeper of the Year, Chiamaka Nadoji.
Malawi is also set with a complete squad. In addition to the Chawinga sisters, young midfielder Faith Chinjimu has emerged as one of the brightest prospects during the qualification stage and is expected to make a significant impact.
What to Expect from the Match
Nigeria is anticipated to utilize its extensive experience and technical edge to dominate the match, employing quick passing and attacking plays from the flanks to seize control early on.
Conversely, Malawi is likely to adopt a defensive posture, relying on swift counter-attacks, with the pace of Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga posing a significant threat to Nigeria’s defense.
Group C is set to deliver an exhilarating opening match in Rabat. While Nigeria enters with a storied history, Malawi is eager to leave a lasting impression on their debut stage. Despite the Scorchers’ offensive capabilities, Nigeria’s depth and established WAFCON legacy position them as the overwhelming favorites to secure victory. The anticipated outcome stands at Nigeria 3 – 1 Malawi.
