Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo has admitted Nigeria failed to perform to its usual standards in the shocking 3-2 defeat to Malawi, describing the result as a “very bad game” while insisting the team is determined to bounce back immediately.
The defending champions suffered one of the biggest upsets in the history of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after tournament debutants Malawi came from a disciplined performance to stun the record 10-time African champions in their Group C opener.
Reacting to the defeat, Okoronkwo acknowledged that the Super Falcons never found their rhythm and accepted full responsibility for the disappointing display.
“It was just a very bad game for us. We were flat and never really got into our rhythm the way we normally do,” Okoronkwo said.
The AFC Toronto forward stressed that dwelling on the defeat would achieve little, with the squad already turning its attention to a crucial clash against Zambia.
“Now it’s our responsibility to bounce back and win the next game. We take full responsibility for what happened, and we’ll work on where we fell short so we can improve,” she added.
Nigeria’s defeat has left the Super Falcons under pressure in Group C, with Zambia awaiting in what has now become a must-win encounter for the defending champions. A positive result would significantly boost Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage and maintaining its bid to retain the continental title while qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Okoronkwo’s comments reflect the mood within the squad, with the players accepting accountability for the opening-day setback while remaining confident that they have the quality and experience to recover.
The Super Falcons will now shift their focus to Saturday’s high-stakes meeting with Zambia, knowing that a strong response could reignite their WAFCON campaign and keep alive their pursuit of a record-extending 11th African title.
