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A first half strike by Asisat Oshoala saw a 10-woman Super Falcons edge out Zambia 1-0 in their second Group C of the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) match in Morocco on Saturday, completesports.com reports.
Despite playing most parts of the game with 10 players, following Tosin Demehin’s sending off in the first half, the Super Falcons put in a resolute performance to keep their knockout round qualification hopes alive.
The 10-WAFCON title winners needed to get their campaign back after a shock 3-2 loss to debutants Malawi on matchday One.
For the Copper Queens, they went into the game on the back of a resounding 6-0 win against Egypt with star striker Barbra Banda netting four goals.
Super Falcons head Coach Justin Madugu made some changes with Oshoala, Uchenna Kanu, Deborah Abiodun, Rofiat Imuran all making the starting lineup.
It was the Super Falcons that had the first big chance in the fifth minute after Oshoala ran on to a long pass but her first poor touch made her lose control of the ball which the keeper came out to claim.
But three minutes later Oshoala made amends as she got on the score sheet to put her side 1-0 ahead.
The former African Women’s Player of the Year raced to a long through ball from the midfield by Rasheedat Ajibade, and connected with the ball which hit the keeper and luckily saw the ball rebound off her and rolled into the net.
But disaster struck for the Super Falcons as Demehin was shown a straight red card, after consultation with VAR, for bringing down Banda who was through on goal.
Also Read: WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons Seek Redemption Against Zambia
The team managed to hold on to their lead as the first half came to a close.
Zambia made changes after the break as they searched for a way back into the match.
Prisca Chilese was replaced by Evarine Phiri at half-time, while Ireen Lungu made way for Evarine Katongo in the 63rd minute.
Further changes followed, with players including Chisala Chipasula, Rachel Mupopo and others introduced as Zambia tried to increase attacking pressure.
Madugu brought on Sikiratu Oladipo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Halimatu Ayinde and Esther Okoronkwo as the Super Falcons looked to protect their lead and manage the physical demands of playing with 10 women.
The Super Falcons eventually held on to secure the three points and also record their first win of the tournament.
The victory moves Nigeria to three points from two matches and keeps them in the race for the quarter-finals.
Malawi (who beat Egypt 3-1) lead Group C with six points, Zambia remain second with three points, Nigeria are third with three, while Egypt are bottom without a point.
Up next for the Super Falcons is another must win fixture with Egypt on Wednesday, August 5th, while Zambia and Malawi will also battle on the same day.
By James Agberebi
2 Comments
Oshoala too take style resemble man for dis pic ooo. Hahahaha!
Zambia can also say Nigeria used a man to score against them.
A friend from Ghana told me years ago that Perpetua Nkwocha was too good, too strong and too fast to be a woman. Story, story. He still dey explain till today. E go explain taya.
Anyhoo, a crucial goal by Agba Baller saves the day for Naija! A big player coming up big in a big game.
Let’s hope Malawi play fair in their last game against Zambia. As for us, our attention turns to Egypt.
If we jam Malawi again, something tells me the result will be different. kudos to Malawi though. If they qualify for the world cup, they will represent Africa very well, based on the 2 games they’ve played so far.
We can now all see that lack of adequate preparation and over-assuredness cost Nigerian Falcons against Malawi ladies last Tuesday!
Against an even pacier and more experienced Zambian Copper Queens tonight, the SF of Nigeria beat them 1-0 despite playing with 10 ladies for almost an hour (60mins) out of the 90minutes regulation time.
An unprepared SF like the one against Malawi, would have capitulated under the intense pressure, with one woman advantage, from the Zambian women.
Super Falcon showed why they are African women champions with the organisation and resilience to defend and cut off the man-like Banda led Zambian Copper Queens.
Congratulations to our Super Falcons, and to Justin Maduga for beating again a so-called elite European Coach-led Zambians. And more goodluck against Egypt next week in the final group match.