Cup-holders Nigeria are determined to put their campaign back on track with victory over Zambia in their second Group C match at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco on Saturday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
- +Falcons keen to bounce back against Copper Queens
The 10-time champions were stunned 3-2 by debutants Malawi in their opening match in Rabat on Tuesday, a result that sent shockwaves round the world of women’s football.
The 10-time champions were stunned 3-2 by debutants Malawi in their opening match in Rabat on Tuesday, a result that sent shockwaves round the world of women’s football.
After a scoreless first half, Malawi went two goals up before three goals were scored in added time, two by Nigeria and one more by Malawi, giving the southern Africans a dream first-ever game at Africa’s flagship women’s football tournament.
On Saturday, at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, with kick-off at 22h00, the Falcons will seek to send a fresh message to their opponents that they remain at the top of the African game, a message that can only be properly delivered through a good result against the Copper Queens.
Zambia presently top Group C on goal difference after a 6-0 thumping of Egypt in their opening match and boast one of the most feared strikers in global women’s football in the pace and skill of Barbara Banda, alongside Rachael Kundananji and Grace Chanda.
Zambia have three points from their opener, with Malawi second also on three points, while Nigeria and Egypt are yet to open their accounts. Victory for Zambia would send them into the quarter-finals with a game to spare.
For the Super Falcons, and for most Nigerian football followers, it remains inconceivable that Africa’s most successful team could miss out on the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil, having attended every edition of the global showpiece since it began in China in 1991.
Only a strong result against Zambia will keep that hope burning, with the top four semi-finalists at this year’s WAFCON set to earn automatic qualification for the World Cup.
Both sides have scores to settle. In 2022, the Copper Queens ensured the Super Falcons finished the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations without a medal, beating the cup-holders in the third-place match. Last year, Nigeria exacted revenge, beating Zambia by five goals in a quarter-final duel.
Zambia, coached by Nora Häuptle, are also aiming to better their bronze medal finish from the 2022 edition, won under the late coach Bruce Mwape.
