Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has said the team has moved on from the disappointing defeat to Malawi and is now fully focused on Saturday’s crucial 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations clash against Zambia.
The defending champions suffered a shock 3-2 loss to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening Group C fixture at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday night, leaving their title defence under immediate pressure.
Justine Madugu’s side must now beat the Copper Queens to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages firmly alive.
Super Falcons Ready For Battle
Speaking ahead of the must-win encounter, Nnadozie insisted the players have put the setback behind them and are in high spirits as they prepare for the decisive showdown with Zambia.
“The feeling is good, everybody is happy. The past is in the past . We are focus on the next game. The spirit is very high, and we will fight get maximum points,” Nnadozie told a press conference in Rabat on Friday.
Read Also:WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons Determined To Retain Title — Nnadozie
“It is necessary to let the fans know that what happened against Malawi was not intentional..This is football, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.”
Nnadozie Responds To Poor Display Vs Malawi
Nnadozie endured a difficult outing against the Malawians, producing an uncharacteristically below-par display in goal.
Following the disappointing defeat, the Brighton goalkeeper took to social media to apologise to Nigerian fans and accepted responsibility for her performance.
“That defeat doesn’t make us a bad team, and it doesn’t make me a bad player. Moving on we have just keep our heads high, and do what we know how to do best,” added Nnadozie.
“We didn’t get to this level by mistake. This is not my first time of making mistakes in a game. I have to keep my head down, and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“I just want to thank everyone who believe in us, wishing us well , and praying for the team. We have learnt a lot from the last game. Hopefully, we try out best to get things right in the next game.”
By Adeboye Amosu
3 Comments
Chiamaka Nnadozie, you desperately need to shed some weight. A fitter Nnadozie, like the one in goal for SF last year WAFCON, would not concede at least 2 of the 3 goals you gifted the Malawians last Tuesday. Reduce your consumption of Fufu and similar swallow and exercise more to get back to full fitness.
Having said that, you are not alone in the poor performance, as the entire team- players and coaching crew, led by Justin Madugu were very poorly against a very fit and well organised team like the Scorchers of Malawi. Perhaps you got cocky and carried away by your pedigree as defending champions and failed to train and prepare adequately for the debutants, who you underated. And you got served “cold breakfast,” as you deserved, by the Scorchers!
I hope you have prepared adequately and appropriately for tomorrow’s match against the “Copper Queens” of Zambia, who play almost similarly to the Scorchers of Malawi, relying on the pace of the Chawinga sisters, but this time the pacy and fit Barbra Banda and Rachael Chiwananga(? Not sure I got the surname spelling right).
There is no reason SF should not be able to beat the Zambians tomorrow. Only a year ago, same Super Falcon-albeit, a fitter team then- under the same Coach Madugu- thrashed the same CQueens 5-0, with almost same personnel as the ones playing tomorrow with the 2 terror strikers they paraded.
The SF would need to tighten up in defence and not leave spaces behind that the fast Banda and co-striker Rachael can exploit. Do not play the slow and aging Ohale in Centre back against the Zambians tomorrow, by all means.
Imagine you’re a center back in a foot race with Usain Bolt.
That is how Ohale and Demehin must have felt having to deal with Temwa Chawinga.
The incredible pace of the Chewing Gum sisters, especially Temwa, was a big problem for our backline. Banda is not as fast as Temwa, but she is very clinical in front of goal, and will not miss the kind of chances that Temwa missed. So a disciplined, focused defensive performance is needed from our ladies. Nnadozie needs to stay home, no venturing out to buy akamu and moimoi. I know the akamu and moimoi over there is so delicious, but please, please, please, resist the urge! Stay home and protect your 6 yard box.
We also need an additional DM in the middle. Ayinde struggled on her own in the last game.
Play Abiodun or Ucheibe alongside her.
If we can sneak a win against Zambia somehow, then hopefully one of the remaining games between Malawi, Zambia and Egypt will end in a draw. A draw between Malawi and Zambia, or between Malawi and Egypt, One draw will likely see us through, the two draws will be even better. But we must win our remaining two games.
The draw is more likely to come in the Malawi vs Zambia game, as I think Malawi will spank Egypt. But hey, this is football! However, if Zambia beat Malawi, and Malawi beat Egypt, it’s curtains for Naija, even if we win our own 2 games! So, if Malawi beats Egypt, and we beat Zambia, my fear is that Malawi may do Southern African parapo with Zambia, and allow them a win, which eliminates Nigeria. It’s in their interest to see Nigeria out, as they may not fare so well if we meet again later in the competition. So, there you have it. Let’s see how it unfolds!
Side note: Temwa should be running sprints for Malawi. She has Olympic level sprinting ability. Jamaican and US female sprinters, watch out!
There is a relief on this but we need to massacre Zambia if our tactless coach doesn’t fumble with his tactics tonight.
I asked Google this
“what happens when 3 teams in wafcon group are tied on 6 points and only top 2 must progress”
Answer:
Head-to-Head Mini-Group Rules
If *three teams* have the same number of points, CAF *builds a special table* using only the games *they played against each other:*
Head-to-head points: Most points earned in matches *between the three* tied teams.
Head-to-head goal difference: Superior goal difference from the matches *between the three tied teams.*
Head-to-head goals scored: Most goals scored in the matches *between the three* tied teams.
Falling Back to Overall Group Stats
If the head-to-head mini-table still leaves teams completely equal (which can happen if they share an identical circular record against each other), CAF moves to overall group statistics:
Overall goal difference: Superior goal difference across all three group matches played.
Overall goals scored: Greatest number of total goals scored in all group matches.
Drawing of lots: A random draw organized by CAF as the absolute final resort.
Simply put, this Zambia game is a cup final