Rasheedat Ajibade had said the boastful comments from Zambia’s camp, motivated the Super Falcons players in Friday’s quarter-final match at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite parading arguebly two of the hottest forwards in Africa, Barbara Banda and Racheal Kundananji, Zambia’s Copper Queens were hammered 5-0 by the Super Falcons.
Ajibade, who was named Player of the Match, provided the assists for the Falcons’ second and fifth goals scored by Esther Okoronkwo and Folashade Ijamilusi.
The scorers were Osinachi Ohale, Chiwendu Ihezuo and Tosin Demehin.
But before the match the Zambian camp expressed believe that they had what it took to face the Super Falcons.
Star striker and reigning Women’s African Player of the Year, Banda, boasted that Zambia were not scared of the Falcons.
“We are not scared, but we respect them because we know the game is 90-plus, so we are going to speak on the pitch. We want to hunt it,” Banda said during her pre-match press conference.
” Like the coach said, we are so hungry for the game. You will be there to witness. The game is so open for everybody, and it’s a good game to watch.
“On my side, and on behalf of the team, we had a very good recovery from the group stage. Coming into the quarterfinals, we had some days to rest and we had a good recovery which means we are good as a team. We are back with good morale and looking forward to tomorrow’s (Friday) game.”
Also Read: WAFCON 2024: How Excellent Super Falcons Rated In Win Over Zambia
The Zambian coach Nora Hauptle stated that her team would hunt down Justin Madugu side.
“Of course, we are here to hunt. We respect that Nigeria is a several-time winner of this tournament. I think they are the favourites in this game, but I can assure you that my team is very hungry; we are here to hunt.”
Commenting on the statements coming from the opposition camp, Ajibade said it spurred she and her teammates to go all out for the win.
“There was a lot of talk from the Zambia camp and we heard all of it,” Ajibade said in the post-match press conference. “It was big motivation for us in this game.”
Prior to Friday’s clash, Zambia scored (six goals) in all their three matches in the group stage.
Banda (three goals) and Kundananji (three goals) accounted for the six goals scored by the Copper Queens.
The 5-0 scoreline by the Super Falcons is the highest goal margin in a single game at this year’s WAFCON.
By James Agberebi
3 Comments
It was served fresh and hot, now they know who the boss is.
Next time you respect your elders. We no be mate.
No mind those Zambians.