- Asisat Oshoala’s solitary strike over stubborn Zambia revives race for glory
Defending Champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria dug deep to revive their TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title defence with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over stubborn Copper Queens of Zambia in Rabat, despite playing most of the match with 10 women on Saturday night.
Wounded after their opening match day loss to Malawi defeat and reduced to 10 players before half-time, Nigeria still found a way to win and keep hopes alive again that an 11th title is hugely possible to capture in Morocco. Defending champions soar high
Asisat Oshoala scored the decisive goal in the eighth minute at Al Madina Stadium as the Super Falcons responded to their shock opening defeat by Malawi with a performance built on discipline, resilience and survival.
However, the Super Falcons were forced to protect their lead for more than half the match after Oluwatosin Demehin saw red in the 40th minute and Zambia pushed powerfully for an equaliser that never came with the defending champions holding firm to claim three crucial points in the Group C encounter.
With the result, Nigeria’s quarter-final hopes alive received a huge boost after Malawi’s 3-1 win over the Cleopatras of Egypt earlier in the day left the champions under even greater pressure.
Oshoala Gifts Nigeria Perfect Start
The Super Falcons had gone into the match knowing defeat could leave their campaign in tatters and still smarting from their embarrassing 2-3 defeat to debutants Malawi in their opening game, needed a response against a Zambia side that had started with a 6-0 drubbing of Egypt.
Excitingly, that response came early as Oshoala. a sixth-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, struck in the eighth minute to give Nigeria the lead and settle some of the nerves around Justine Madugu’s side. The goal was exactly what Nigeria needed in a match they could not afford to lose and it also forced Zambia, who had hoped to take a major step towards the knockout stage with another win, to chase the game from an early stage.
Demehin’s Red Card Shifts Momentum
The task became harder for the Super Falcons five minutes before half-time when Demehin was shown a red card after a VAR review and the unfortunate dismissal changed the balance of the match, giving the Copper Queens extra encouragement going into the second half.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade was also booked before the break, adding to the sense of pressure around the Super Falcons and with captain Rachael Kundananji and their dangerous attacking players, Zambia had the quality to punish any lack of organisation.
However, Nigeria showed the experience that has made them 10-time African champions as they dropped deeper, protected central spaces and worked hard to deny Zambia clear chances.
Zambia Flop Despite Extra-Number Lifeline
The Copper Queens made several 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 they tried to increase attacking pressure.
Super Falcons Rewrote The Script
Coach 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.
Zambia had come into the match full of confidence after Barbra Banda’s four-goal display against Egypt, but they failed to find the cutting edge that had defined their opening performance.
Nigeria Return, Hunting The Crown
Saturday night was an all-important win that moves Nigeria to three points from two matches and keeps them in the race for the quarter-finals. Result earlier in the day saw Malawi beating Egyptb3-1 to lead Group C with six points followed by Zambia in second place with three points, with Nigeria third with three points, while Egypt stay bottom without a point.
The standings mean Nigeria still have work to do, but this win has given them a route back into the tournament. Though not a fluent performance, and the red card raises questions about discipline, the Super Falcons showed character when their campaign was on the line. For Zambia, the defeat is a setback after their strong start, but they remain well placed in the group. – With CAFonline.com report
