NIGERIA VS ZAMBIA: Match Preview, Team News, H2H, Prediction (WAFCON 2022 Third Place)

After failing in their quest to reach a tenth final, the Super Falcons would be out to get the bronze against She-Polopolo (Copper Queens) of Zambia, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Nigeria square off against Zambia in the third place play-off of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations against Zambia. The match is billed to take place Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca by 9:00pm (Nigerian time)

The Super Falcons’ aspirations of a tenth African diadem got quashed in the semi-final after losing 5-4 on penalties to hosts Morocco in Rabat.

Playing with nine players, the West Africans played a 1-1 draw with the North Africans, however, were undone by kicks from the penalty mark.

On the other hand, the Copper Queens were silenced 1-0 in the last four by South Africa with Linda Motlhalo’s last-minute penalty sending them packing.

Match preview

Since the tournament kicked off in 1998, this is only the first time Nigeria will play in a third-place match – winning one and losing the other.

The nine-time winners will be heavy favourites when they face a Zambian team making it past the group stages for the first time in three attempts.

Bruce Mwape’s ladies were impressive as Africa’s representatives at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and have already secured a first-ever ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

There is no better time to record their first-ever victory over Nigeria.

Head-to-head

Nigeria dominated the previous encounters against Zambia, winning both meetings by an aggregate score of 10-0.

The Super Falcons claimed a 6-0 win in their first face-off at the 2014 edition and defeated the Copper Queens 4-0 at Ghana 2018.

Prediction

This match could be more challenging than anticipated, but Nigeria still boast more quality across the pitch than the Copper Queens.

Tip: Nigeria 2 – 1 Zambia