Oshoala Revives Nigeria’s WAFCON and World Cup Bid With Zambia Win
Asisat Oshoala’s early goal proved decisive as ten-player Nigeria fought back from the brink of an early exit to beat Zambia 1-0 at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), reviving the Super Falcons’ hopes of reaching both the tournament knockout stages and next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The defending champions entered Saturday’s Group C clash at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat under intense pressure, having suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening fixture. Zambia, meanwhile, arrived full of confidence after thrashing Egypt 6-0 in their own opener, a match in which star striker Barbra Banda scored four goals.
Head coach Justin Madugu made several changes to his starting lineup, handing starts to Oshoala, Uchenna Kanu, Deborah Abiodun, and Rofiat Imuran. Nigeria almost broke the deadlock in the fifth minute when Oshoala chased down a long pass, though a heavy first touch allowed Zambian goalkeeper Hazel Nali to gather the ball. Three minutes later, the six-time African Women’s Player of the Year made no mistake, latching onto a perfectly weighted through ball from captain Rasheedat Ajibade. Her initial effort was saved by Nali, but the ball ricocheted off the striker and bounced into the empty net to hand Nigeria an early lead.
The match took a dramatic turn just before halftime when defender Oluwatosin Demehin was shown a straight red card following a VAR review, with referee Josephine Wanjiku ruling that the defender had denied Banda a clear goalscoring opportunity. The dismissal left the Super Falcons to defend their slender lead with ten players for the remainder of the contest.
Zambia dominated possession for large stretches of the second half as they searched for an equaliser, but Nigeria’s reorganised defence held firm. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced several crucial saves to keep the Copper Queens at bay, while introductions including Shukurat Oladipo and Chinwendu Ihezuo helped the Super Falcons maintain their defensive shape and threaten on the counterattack through Kanu and substitute Esther Okoronkwo. Zambia’s best late chance came deep into stoppage time when Grace Chanda volleyed over the crossbar, allowing Nigeria to hold on for a hard-fought and priceless victory.
The result moves Nigeria level with Zambia on three points in Group C, though both sides trail surprise group leaders Malawi, who maintained their perfect start by beating Egypt 3-1 earlier the same day. This year’s WAFCON tournament in Morocco doubles as Africa’s qualifying competition for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with all four semi-finalists securing automatic qualification and the losing quarter-finalists gaining a route through inter-confederation play-offs.
Nigeria, ever-present at every edition of the Women’s World Cup and quarter-finalists in 1999, will now face Egypt in a decisive final group match on Wednesday, August 5, while Zambia take on Malawi in the other Group C fixture on the same day, with qualification hopes still hanging in the balance for both sides.
About the Author
