WAFCON: Malawi’s Chawinga begs Falcons for mercy ahead of opener

Malawi captain, Tabitha Chawinga, has jokingly pleaded with the Super Falcons not to inflict a heavy defeat on her country when the two nations meet in their opening Group C fixture at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, Morocco, even as Nigeria’s pre-tournament friendly against Ghana, earlier scheduled for Saturday in Casablanca, has been called off.

During a pre-tournament panel featuring several African stars, including Ghana’s Cynthia Konlan and Egypt’s Nadine Ghazi, Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala, teased the Chawinga sisters over Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football, prompting a light-hearted plea from the Malawi captain.

“Super Falcons need to calm down. Do not give us 5-0, please. 1-0 is enough,” Chawinga said, in an exchange that has since circulated widely on social media.

The Super Falcons head into Morocco as reigning champions, having reclaimed the trophy in 2025, and remain the most successful nation in the tournament’s history with 10 continental titles as they chase an unprecedented eleventh crown.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside Malawi, Zambia and Egypt, with all group matches taking place in Rabat, and will open their campaign against Malawi on July 28.

The Super Falcons’ official account on X, however, confirmed that their friendly against Ghana’s Black Queens, originally planned for Saturday at the Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca, would no longer take place.

“The friendly match between the Super Falcons and the Black Queens planned for Saturday, 18 July 2026 in Casablanca is off, due to unforeseen circumstances,” the statement read.

Nigeria had opened their training camp in Casablanca on Monday under head coach Justine Madugu, with players including captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Fatima Oloko, defenders Oluwatosin Demehin, Glory Ogbonna, Christy Ucheibe, Shukurat Oladipo and Rofiat Imuran, midfielder Jennifer Echegini, and Oshoala already in camp.

The 14th edition of WAFCON runs from July 19 to August 8, with the four semi-finalists qualifying automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while the fifth-placed team advances to an intercontinental play-off for another route to the global showpiece.