Cup-holders Nigeria begin the defence of their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations crown on Tuesday night when they face tournament debutants Malawi at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat.

The Super Falcons, record 10-time African champions, head into the Group B encounter as overwhelming favourites, but head coach Justine Madugu has warned his players against underestimating the Scorchers and their dangerous Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa.

Nigeria captured a record-extending 10th continental title last year after producing a remarkable comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in a memorable final.

Now the Falcons are back in Morocco seeking an unprecedented 11th crown, but there are already signs that their latest title defence could be fiercely contested.

Morocco, runners-up at the past two editions, fired an early warning on Sunday when they swept aside Kenya 4-0 in their opening match.

For Nigeria, Tuesday’s encounter represents a meeting between established authority and emerging ambition.

While the Super Falcons are the most successful team in African women’s football, Malawi will be stepping onto the WAFCON finals stage for the first time.

Yet the Scorchers possess two of the continent’s most dangerous attacking players in sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, both capable of changing the course of a match in an instant.

Malawi, coached by Lovemore Fazili, have tested themselves against some of Africa’s stronger sides in preparation for their historic appearance.

They have suffered friendly defeats against Morocco and Ghana over the past 13 months but also held highly-rated Zambia and comfortably overcame Angola in their final qualifying tie.

Fazili can also call on defenders Ireen Khumalo, Olivia Phikani and Benadetta Mkandawire, midfielders Rose Kadzere, Letticia Chinyamula and Faith Chinzimu, as well as forwards Vanessa Chikupira and Deborah Henry.

Madugu, who masterminded Nigeria’s successful “Mission X” campaign last year, insists there will be no complacency from the champions.

“We have huge respect for all our opponents,” Madugu said at Monday’s pre-match press conference in Rabat.

“Every team that qualifies for this tournament deserves commendation and a lot of respect. Yes, they are debutants, but they are a very good side. We don’t take anything for granted.

“Everybody is coming here with a purpose and a mission, so you don’t undermine or underestimate what anybody can do.

“We are here for the defence of the WAFCON trophy and the team is fully ready and set to go. We will stick to our game plan and our mission.”

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade is expected to lead a formidable Nigerian side that could feature goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defenders Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Rofiat Imuran and Tosin Demehin, and midfielders Deborah Abiodun and Halimatu Ayinde.

Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo and six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala are among Nigeria’s attacking options.

The depth available to Madugu is equally imposing.

Comfort Erhabor, Christy Ucheibe, Glory Ogbonna, Sikiratu Isa, Shukurat Oladipo, Toni Payne, Jennifer Echegini, Gift Monday, Omorinsola Babajide and Folashade Ijamilusi are among the players available to make an impact should they start from the bench.

For Malawi, the occasion represents history. For Nigeria, it is the beginning of another mission to defend their position at the summit of African women’s football.

The Super Falcons have conquered Africa 10 times. On Tuesday night in Rabat, the journey towards Mission XI begins.

Kick-off is 9 pm in Morocco and Nigeria.

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Tanzania produced the first major upset of Group B at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026, stunning former champions South Africa 2-1 at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Monday evening.

Substitute Hasnath Ubamba was the heroine for the Twiga Stars, striking four minutes from time to secure a famous victory and give Tanzania a perfect start to their campaign.

It was the third WAFCON finals meeting between the two countries and the second successive edition in which they had been drawn in the same group.

South Africa had won their first encounter, while the second ended in a draw, but Tanzania entered Monday’s clash determined to finally get the better of Banyana Banyana.

The East Africans signalled their intentions early, with captain Opa Tukumbuke almost capitalising on a loose ball inside the penalty area in the 13th minute, only for goalkeeper Andile Dlamini to react quickly.

South Africa survived another scare two minutes later when Lebohang Ramalepe’s looping back-header drifted dangerously towards her own goal before Dlamini recovered to avert an own goal.

Banyana Banyana responded in the 17th minute as Thembi Kgatlana’s clever lay-off released Hildah Magaia, whose effort flew narrowly over the crossbar.

South Africa continued to apply pressure and Karabo Dhlamini went even closer midway through the half when her powerful long-range effort crashed against the woodwork.

But it was Tanzania who struck first.

Against the run of play, Diana Msewa broke the deadlock in the 37th minute, beating Bongeka Gamede before calmly squeezing her finish past Dlamini at the near post.

Kgatlana almost restored parity in first-half stoppage time, but Tanzania goalkeeper Najiati Idrisa produced a superb close-range save.

South Africa, however, found the equaliser before the interval.

Bambanani Mbane reacted quickest after another Idrisa save and headed home to ensure the teams went into half-time level at 1-1.

Banyana Banyana almost completed the turnaround immediately after the restart, with Refiloe Jane going close within seconds.

But Tanzania remained organised and refused to buckle under South Africa’s pressure.

Their persistence was rewarded in the 86th minute when substitute Ubamba turned her marker before drilling a low effort beyond Dlamini to restore Tanzania’s lead.

This time there was no way back for South Africa.

The final whistle confirmed one of Tanzania’s most memorable WAFCON results and handed the East Africans three valuable points in what is already developing into an unpredictable Group B.

Tanzania will next face Burkina Faso on Friday, while South Africa must regroup for a potentially crucial encounter against Côte d’Ivoire on the same day.

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Côte d’Ivoire marked their return to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a 12-year absence in emphatic fashion, crushing Burkina Faso 4-1 in their Group B opener at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Monday night.

The Lady Elephants delivered a devastating first-half performance, scoring three times inside the opening 23 minutes to take command of the West African derby before completing the job after the interval.

Rebecca Elloh set the tone by converting a seventh-minute penalty before Ines Konan struck twice as Reynald Pedros’ side raced into a 3-0 lead.

Konan got her first in the 14th minute following good work by Rosemonde Kouassi and struck again nine minutes later from Nsira Ouedraogo’s assist.

For a Côte d’Ivoire side appearing at the continental finals for the first time since 2014, it was a dream opening.

Burkina Faso, making only their second WAFCON appearance, emerged from the interval with greater purpose and were rewarded almost immediately.

Adama Congo pulled one back in the 46th minute after being set up by Balkissa Sawadogo, briefly raising hopes of an unlikely comeback for the Lady Stallions.

But the Ivorians quickly extinguished those hopes.

Ouedraogo, who had already provided an assist, added Côte d’Ivoire’s fourth goal in the 56th minute to restore the three-goal advantage and put the contest beyond Burkina Faso.

It completed an impressive night for the Lady Elephants, whose combination of pace, movement and clinical finishing proved too much for their neighbours.

The result also underlined the impact of Côte d’Ivoire’s preparations under Pedros, with the team having arrived early in Morocco for a pre-tournament training camp.

Experienced campaigner Elloh provided composure, Konan supplied the goals, and Ouedraogo capped an influential performance with a goal and an assist.

Captain Bernadette Amani Kakounan had spoken before the encounter about the emotion of hearing the Ivorian national anthem again at WAFCON after such a long absence. The Lady Elephants matched that emotion with a performance full of purpose.

For Burkina Faso, the heavy defeat leaves Issa Balbone’s team with work to do, although Congo’s early second-half strike offered a glimpse of the fighting spirit the coach had demanded before the tournament.

Côte d’Ivoire’s victory takes on added significance following Tanzania’s stunning 2-1 defeat of defending champions South Africa earlier on Monday.

Those two results have immediately thrown Group B wide open, with Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania making perfect starts while South Africa and Burkina Faso are left chasing points.

With the top two teams in the group advancing to the quarter-finals, the Lady Elephants have put themselves firmly in contention after a spectacular return to the WAFCON stage.

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