Nigeria kept their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title defence alive with a determined 1-0 victory over Zambia in Rabat on Saturday night.
Asisat Oshoala scored the only goal in the eighth minute as the Super Falcons overcame the challenge of playing with 10 women for more than half the match to claim a vital three points in Group C.
The defending champions entered the contest under immense pressure after suffering a shock 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening match. Earlier on Saturday, Malawi strengthened their grip on the group with a 3-1 win over Egypt, leaving Nigeria needing a positive result to keep their quarter final hopes alive.
Nigeria made the perfect start when Oshoala broke the deadlock after just eight minutes. The experienced striker calmly finished to give the Super Falcons an early advantage and settle nerves in a match they simply could not afford to lose.
The early goal forced Zambia onto the front foot. Fresh from their emphatic 6-0 victory over Egypt, the Copper Queens looked to respond quickly, but Nigeria defended with discipline and limited their attacking opportunities during the opening stages.
The game changed dramatically five minutes before half time when Oluwatosin Demehin received a straight red card, leaving Nigeria to play the remainder of the match with 10 players. Rasheedat Ajibade also picked up a booking before the break as the pressure continued to build on the Super Falcons.
Zambia increased the tempo after the restart and searched for an equaliser. Coach Nora Häuptle introduced Evarine Phiri for Prisca Chilese at half time before bringing on Evarine Katongo for Ireen Lungu in the 63rd minute. Chisala Chipasula, Rachel Mupopo and other substitutes also entered the game as Zambia threw more players forward.
Nigeria responded with tactical changes of their own. Justine Madugu introduced Sikiratu Oladipo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Halimatu Ayinde and Esther Okoronkwo to reinforce the team and manage the physical demands of playing a player short.
Despite Zambia’s attacking quality, led by captain Rachael Kundananji and supported by the confidence gained from Barbra Banda’s four goal performance against Egypt, they could not find a breakthrough. Nigeria defended deep, stayed organised and protected the central areas to frustrate the Copper Queens throughout the second half.
The Super Falcons held on until the final whistle to secure a crucial victory that revived their campaign. The result moves Nigeria onto three points from two matches and keeps them firmly in the race for a place in the quarter finals.
Malawi now lead Group C with six points after two wins. Zambia remain on three points alongside Nigeria, while Egypt sit bottom without a point after two defeats.
The performance was far from comfortable, and Demehin’s dismissal will raise questions about discipline. However, Nigeria showed the resilience and experience expected of 10 time African champions when their title defence hung in the balance.
For Zambia, the defeat ends their perfect start but leaves qualification firmly within reach. For Nigeria, survival was the only priority, and Oshoala’s early strike proved enough to keep the defending champions’ hopes of retaining the WAFCON title alive.
