Debutants Malawi produced one of the biggest shocks in the history of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday, rallying from a goalless first half to beat 10-time African champions Nigeria 3-2 in the teams' Group C opener at Al Madina Stadium.

Playing in their first WAFCON finals, the Scorchers handed Nigeria its first defeat to a tournament debutant since WAFCON began in 1998; the Super Falcons' only previous slip against a newcomer had been a scoreless draw with Tunisia in 2008. Sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga scored all three Malawi goals, turning a match Nigeria had controlled for long stretches into a result that instantly reshaped Group C.

There was more than bragging rights at stake. This year's WAFCON doubles as qualification for the 2027 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, with a place in the semifinals enough to guarantee a berth. Nigeria arrived in Morocco as the reigning champions, having rallied from two goals down to beat host Morocco in last year's final, and left Tuesday's match with plenty of work still to do. The result looked even worse next to what happened earlier in the day, when Zambia routed Egypt 6-0 in the group's other opener to sit atop the table.

For most of the first half, Nigeria did all the pressing without doing any damage. The Super Falcons controlled possession and territory but couldn't turn it into clean chances, while Malawi's back line stayed disciplined. The Scorchers' best moment of the half came when Rose Kabzere tested goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, the reigning CAF Goalkeeper of the Year, who produced a smart save to keep the score level. Neither side found a way through before the whistle, and the teams went in scoreless at the break.

Nigeria coach Justine Madugu sent on Toni Payne for Folashade Ijamilusi early in the second half in search of an opener, but it was Malawi who broke the deadlock. In the 69th minute, Temwa Chawinga ran onto a pass from Ireen Khumalo and finished calmly to put the debutants ahead. Six minutes later, Tabitha Chawinga doubled the lead from inside the box off a Sabina Thom assist, and suddenly the reigning champions were chasing the game.

Nigeria pulled one back in the 91st minute, Rasheedat Ajibade converting from the spot after the referee awarded a penalty for handball. The reprieve didn't last long. Temwa Chawinga struck again soon after to complete her brace and put Malawi back in front by two, part of a wild closing stretch that produced five goals in barely half an hour. Uchenna Kanu got one back for Nigeria deep into stoppage time to make it 3-2, but there wasn't enough time left for a full comeback.

Malawi's players celebrated wildly at the final whistle, aware of the magnitude of what they had just done. Zambia leads Group C on goal difference, with Malawi second on three points and Nigeria and Egypt both still searching for their first points. The Super Falcons must now beat Zambia on Saturday to keep their title defense -- and their World Cup qualification hopes -- alive. For coach Lovemore Fazili's Scorchers, there's no such pressure: whatever comes next, they have already delivered a result that will be remembered long after this WAFCON ends.