AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s Super Falcons secured a crucial 1-0 win over Zambia in their second Group C match at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Saturday, rescuing their WAFCON title defence and World Cup qualification hopes.
Asisat Oshoala scored the only goal of the game, giving Nigeria the lead before half-time in a match that swung when defender Oluwatosin Demehin was shown a straight red card just before the break.
The card followed a VAR review that first overturned Demehin’s initial booking, ruling the Zambian player offside, before referee Josephine Wanjiku sent her off moments later. Nigeria played the entire second half with ten players.
Zambia, buoyed by their 6-0 opening win over Egypt, pushed hard for an equaliser but could not breach Nigeria’s defence. Captain Barbra Banda, who scored four goals against Egypt, was kept largely quiet.
The result marked Nigeria’s fourth win in five WAFCON meetings with Zambia, avenging their 2022 third-place play-off loss to the Copper Queens.
Saturday’s win eases pressure on coach Justine Madugu’s side following their shock 3-2 opening defeat to debutants Malawi, keeping alive their bid for a top-four finish and automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
The Super Falcons close out the group stage against Egypt, needing a positive result to guarantee their place in the knockout rounds.
