WAFCON: Oshoala Fires 10-Woman Falcons Past Zambia, Revives World Cup Qualification Dream
By Akpo Esco
Nigeria’s Super Falcons reignited their quest for a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia on Saturday, overcoming the challenge of playing the entire second half with 10 players to keep their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign alive.
The crucial Group C encounter at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, saw six-time African Women’s Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, score the decisive goal in the eighth minute, handing the defending champions their first win of the tournament after a disappointing opening defeat to Malawi.
Needing victory to avoid the brink of elimination, the Super Falcons made a bright start as Oshoala reacted quickest after her initial effort was saved by Zambian goalkeeper Hazel Nali, with the rebound bouncing off her thigh into the net.
Nigeria’s task became significantly more difficult five minutes before halftime when central defender Oluwatosin Demehin was sent off following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review. Referee Josphine Wanjiku upgraded an initial yellow card to a red after ruling that Demehin had denied Barbra Banda a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Despite enjoying a numerical advantage for the entire second half, Zambia failed to break down Nigeria’s disciplined defence. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced a key save to deny Racheal Kundananji’s long-range free-kick, while Grace Chanda missed a golden opportunity deep into stoppage time by volleying over the crossbar.
The victory moved Nigeria level with Zambia on three points in Group C, with surprise leaders Malawi topping the standings after defeating Egypt 3-1 earlier in the day. The Super Falcons will now face Egypt in their final group match, while Zambia take on Malawi in fixtures that will determine the quarter-finalists.
The 2026 WAFCON also serves as Africa’s qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with all four semi-finalists securing automatic qualification. The defeated quarter-finalists will still have an opportunity to reach the Mundial through the inter-confederation play-offs.
Elsewhere in the competition, hosts Morocco have already sealed a place in the quarter-finals with a game to spare, while 2022 champions South Africa face the prospect of an early exit after collecting just one point from their opening two Group B matches.
Nigeria, Africa’s most successful women’s national team with a record 10 WAFCON titles, will be aiming to maintain their ever-present record at the FIFA Women’s World Cup when they take on Egypt in a decisive final group fixture.
