Malawi Sisters Score Historic Upset Over Nigeria at WAFCON

When Malawi faced Nigeria at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday, nobody expected the underdog Scorchers to walk away with a win against the tournament's most dominant team. But sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga had other plans, scoring all three goals in a 3-2 upset that's sending shockwaves through women's football.

The victory in Rabat, Morocco marked Malawi's debut at the tournament. Nigeria has won the championship ten times, making this one of the biggest upsets in WAFCON history.

Temwa, 27, netted two goals while her older sister Tabitha, 30, added the third. But their success didn't come easy.

Growing up among five siblings in rural Malawi, both sisters had to fight just to play the sport they loved. "It has not been easy to get to where we are today," Tabitha told Forbes Africa in a previous interview. "There were a lot of obstacles to girls playing the game in Malawi."

Tabitha started playing at age five but had to compete with boys until she turned 13 because no girls' teams existed in her area. That early struggle only made her stronger.

Today, both sisters play at the highest levels of women's football worldwide. Temwa earned Most Valuable Player honors twice in the National Women's Soccer League while playing for Kansas City Current, finishing as the league's top scorer in both 2024 and 2025.

Tabitha took a different path through Sweden, China, Italy, and France. She now plays for Lyon, one of Europe's powerhouse clubs, where she helped win the league title in her first season.

The Ripple Effect

The sisters' success is opening doors for the next generation of Malawian girls who dream of playing football. Their visibility on the world stage proves that talent can emerge from anywhere, regardless of resources or initial support systems.

This victory puts Malawi within reach of something even bigger. The top four teams at the 2026 WAFCON qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil, and the Scorchers just took a giant step toward making history again.

Tabitha credits their success to teamwork and belief. "It is 11 versus 11," she said. "Everybody has to do their job well. That is how you win."

From playing with boys in rural Malawi to stunning Africa's football giants on the continental stage, the Chawinga sisters are proving that determination and talent can overcome any obstacle.