Super Falcons midfielder Deborah Abiodun has praised her teammates for their gutsy display in the hard fought win against Zambia.
The Super Falcons bounced back from a shock 3-2 loss to debutants Malawi to secure a 1-0 win against the Copper Queens of Zambia in Saturday’s Group C Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) clash in Morocco.
Star striker Asisat Oshoala was the hero for the reigning champions, as her eight minutes strike was enough to seal the important three points.
The team had to play with 10 players from the first half following Tosin Demehin’s red card for a foul on Barbra Banda.
Also Read: WAFCON 2026: How Super Falcons Rated In Slim Win Over Zambia
“I’m very excited, kudos to my teammates it was a hard fight especially getting a red card in the first half,” Abiodun, who made her first start in the tournament said. “So I just want to say thank you to my lovely teammates, I really appreciate everyone’s effort, from the reserve to the players on the field. Everyone was in tact.
“We had one goal going forward and we are happy that we got the three points and making Nigerians proud as always.”
It was the Super Falcons fourth win in their fifth meeting with Zambia at the WAFCON.
Up next for Abiodun and her teammates is another must win clash with Egypt on Wednesday, August 5. The Egyptians lost 3-1 to Malawi in their second group fixture also on Saturday.
By James Agberebi
4 Comments
Congratulations to the girls.
However, the biggest task is the match against Egypt.
A draw and Zambia beats Malawi they will be out.
If Zambia beats Malawi and Falcons score fewer goals against Egypt goal difference and head to head will see the Falcons out.
So they should play the last game as if there lives depends on it to get more goal than Malawi.
There is still much to be done not yet Uhuru but they are capable of turning things round to put their world Cup qualification back on track.
Good luck to the girls.
Zambia and Malawi can fix that match and nothing will happen.
It will shock you that Zambia will even qualify ahead of us, if we 3 end up with 6 points.
How?
Currently, Nigeria have 3/3 (goals for and against) with Malawi and Zambia. GD = 0
We can’t improve on that.
Zambia has 0/1 (-1)
Malawi has 3/2 (+1)
Both have not played each other.
Malawi already have goals for like us.
If they decide to lose 2-3 to Zambia,
Malawi G/A will now be 5/5. GD = 0
H2H against their rivals, Malawi will have 5 goals for, 2 more than us. They will top us instantly, even if we beat Egypt silly which I doubt.
Now for Zambia (since they were supposed to topple Malawi but Malawi beat us and has more goals than us against the top 3),
Zambia will now have (with 3-2 win over Malawi) 3/3 (goals for and against Nigeria and Malawi). GD = 0.
Then, since G/A for both Zambia and Nigeria against the 3 teams are equal, CAF will NOW use their results against Egypt.
Zambia currently has +5. Nigeria yet to play.
If Zambia should score 4 Goals for, our 3/3 is meaningless.
Malawi with +1 against us need to not lose by 2 goals. Then 4-3 for Zambia (meaning 4 goals for against Nigeria and Malawi) will see both Zambia and Malawi go through.
You see, we should pray both nations play fair.
We are cooked if they don’t.
The tactless coach knew we needed more goals yesterday but kept both Gift and Omewa on the bench, even Rinsola.
Anyway, if we are played out of reckoning (Algeria and Austria did that in the world cup to knock out one team like that), that will be on Madugu.
He had all the time to do his mathematics prior to yesterday.
Our fate is no more in our hands because I don’t trust him to overturn Zambian +5 goals against Egypt.
Last last, we may be cooked especially if Egypt decide to even lock shop.
Madugu team is first Nigeria WAFCON team to lose to a debutant since 1998
Most likely first to miss the semis if Zambia and Malawi decide to play fair (believe them to play fair in your dreams after they will have this math in front of them).
Sanusi and Gusau, well done
Even if we score 99 and Zambia wins 2-1 against Malawi will spell doom for falcons when the 3 teams h2h tier rule is applied due to goals score and fair play unto the manufactured red card against SF.
SF strikers missing opportunities to close the game plus Caf officials who are bent on using red card to reduce or output is another concern for this women competition.
I wonder who are the VAR operators because the corruption is too much. I didn’t see VAR check when there was handball against Zambia yet they find ways to make sure they sack Demehin after the first red claims failed as if she for no Mark Banda. Where Issa Hayatou today?
Coach should use a striker that will convert chances because Asissat misses a lot of opportunities. Kanu is good at converting chances and Esther is good at making them. A word is enough for the wise.