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

As the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) approaches, anticipation is building across the continent, particularly for the Group C clash featuring regional rivals Malawi, Nigeria, Egypt, and Zambia. Malawi's captain, Tabitha Chawinga, has added a touch of humour to the pre-tournament rhetoric, jokingly pleading with the reigning champions, Nigeria's Super Falcons, not to inflict a heavy defeat on her team during their opening fixture. This lighthearted plea underscores the immense challenge faced by many teams when confronting Nigeria, who are formidable contenders aiming for an unprecedented 11th continental title. The tournament, hosted by Morocco for a record third consecutive time, promises to be the largest edition yet, expanded to include 16 nations vying not only for continental glory but also for qualification to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. For Southern African teams like Malawi and Zambia, WAFCON 2026 represents a significant platform to showcase their growing talent. Malawi, making its WAFCON debut, will rely heavily on the prowess of the Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, to spearhead their attack against seasoned opponents. Zambia's Copper Queens enter WAFCON 2026 with considerable momentum and high expectations. Having secured their qualification early, they are no longer merely participants but genuine contenders. The Copper Queens have been drawn into a challenging Group C, alongside Nigeria, Egypt, and Malawi, making it one of the tournament's most competitive pools. Under the guidance of coach Nora Häuptle, Zambia has cultivated a resilient and tactically astute squad, featuring star players like captain Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji, who are expected to lead their charge for a maiden WAFCON title. Their journey to this point has included rigorous preparations, such as participating in international fixtures against top-tier teams like South Korea, Brazil, and Canada, as well as hosting a Four Nations tournament. Th