The ten-time African champions were expected to make light work of their Malawian counterparts. However, by halftime, it was clear the match would not follow that script, with both teams locked in a scoreless stalemate heading into the break.
The game truly caught fire in an action-packed second half. The Scorchers stunned Nigeria by scoring two quick goals, courtesy of the dynamic duo of sisters Temwa Chawinga and Tabitha Chawinga.
Nigeria pulled one back in the second minute of stoppage time through Rasheedat Ajibade. However, Temwa struck again to restore Malawi's two-goal cushion, rendering Uchenna Kanu's 9th-minute stoppage-time strike a mere consolation.
The defeat has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian fanbase, as Malawi — traditionally considered continental minnows — pulled off a historic upset against the powerhouse Super Falcons.
Nigeria Super Falcons. Copyright: Imagoxshengolpixsx
Christy Ucheibe Reveals Reason for Super Falcons' Loss
Following the upset, Benfica midfielder Christy Ucheibe — who watched the fixture from the bench — expressed her disappointment over the result.
She noted, however, that such setbacks are part of the game and reflect the rapid growth of women's football across the continent. Nonetheless, she promised a much-improved performance in their upcoming clash against Zambia.
Christy Ucheibe for Nigeria's Super Falcons (Photo by Imago)
“I'm going to say it's football. Nothing went wrong; both teams played very well, and that's just football for you. You lose, you win, or you draw. But either way, you bounce back. In the next game against Zambia, we will try our best to get through this phase so we can qualify for the World Cup and defend our title,” Ucheibe told Victor Ademola.
After the game, the Nigerian players and coaching staff huddled together on the pitch, and Ucheibe summarized what was said in that short meeting.
“The message was just to cheer up and keep our heads up. It's not the end of the tournament; it's just the beginning. Back in 2018, the exact same thing happened against South Africa—they won the first game but came back to win the tournament,' the Benfica star added.
“Every team on the continent is stepping up now. Malawi is a good team; they put up a strong fight, and so did we. Hopefully, in the next game, we will set the standard and make things right. Thank you.”
Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, and other members of the Super Falcons squad (Photo credit: Imago)
The Zambia game promises to be a tough test for Nigeria. In fact, they are condemned to get at win if they want to be in a safe position heading into the final group stage game. The Copper Queens are fresh off a commanding 6-0 win against Egypt. And seeing how Malawi dispatched Nigeria, they will definitely be brimming with coonfidence.
Kelvin Omachonu is a professional football columnist and sports writer with over half a decade of experience covering major events and delivering captivating, analytically-driven stories.
A graduate of the University of Ibadan, he is fueled by a profound dedication to sports journalism and the beautiful game. His insights have previously been featured in respected outlets, including IndyPress UI, UCJ UI Newshive NG, Sportpremi, and a few others.
Away from work, Kelvin is an avid fan of basketball, enjoys a great movie, and is always discovering new music.
