Follow Us on Google
Defending champions Nigeria are looking to steady their campaign when they face Zambia in their second Group C fixture at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
The Super Falcons, ten-time winners of the tournament, suffered a stunning 3-2 loss to first-timers Malawi in their opening game in Rabat on Tuesday, a result that sent ripples through the women’s football world. The match stayed goalless at halftime before Malawi surged two goals clear, then three more goals — two from Nigeria, one from Malawi — arrived in stoppage time, handing the debutants a historic victory in their maiden appearance at the continent’s top women’s tournament.
Today’s clash gives Nigeria a chance to reassert their dominance in African women’s football, but only a convincing win over Zambia’s Copper Queens will really drive the point home.
It won’t be straightforward. Zambia currently lead the group on goals difference following a 6-0 rout of Egypt, and they boast one of the game’s most dangerous forwards in the fast, technical Barbara Banda, alongside Rachael Kundananji and Grace Chanda.
Other News
For the Falcons and their supporters, missing out on the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup is almost unthinkable — Nigeria has featured at every edition since the tournament’s inception in China in 1991.
A strong result against Zambia is essential to keeping that qualification hope alive.
The two sides have history. Zambia denied Nigeria a medal at the 2022 tournament, beating them in the third-place playoff. Nigeria returned the favour last year, thrashing the Copper Queens 5-0 in the quarterfinals.
Head coach Justine Madugu struck a confident tone ahead of the match: “We are focused and not deterred. Our objective remains picking the FIFA World Cup ticket and going ahead to retain our trophy.”
