Super Falcons Overcome Red Card To Earn Crucial WAFCON Victory Over Zambia

Super Falcons Overcome Red Card To Earn Crucial WAFCON Victory Over Zambia

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria produced a resilient display to defeat Zambia 1-0 despite playing more than half the match with 10 players, reigniting their TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title defence and setting up a dramatic finish in Group C, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Super Falcons held on for a vital victory at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat after defender Blessing Demehin was sent off in the 40th minute for bringing down Zambia captain Barbra Banda as the Copper Queens searched for an equaliser.

Asisat Oshoala's early goal proved decisive as the defending champions claimed their first points of the tournament following an opening-day defeat to Malawi.

The result leaves Group C finely poised heading into the final round of fixtures. Malawi lead the standings with six points after two consecutive victories, while Nigeria and Zambia are level on three points. Egypt remain without a point.

Nigeria will face Egypt in their final group match on Wednesday, while Malawi and Zambia meet in a decisive southern African derby with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

Oshoala settled Nigeria's nerves in the eighth minute when she raced beyond two defenders before seeing her initial effort saved by goalkeeper Hazel Nali. The rebound, however, struck the six-time African Women's Footballer of the Year and rolled into the net to hand the Super Falcons an early advantage.

The task became significantly more difficult for Nigeria before half-time when Demehin received a straight red card after fouling Banda, forcing the nine-time champions to defend their slender lead for the remainder of the contest.

Zambia dominated possession after the interval and pushed relentlessly for an equaliser, but Nigeria's disciplined defensive performance and composed goalkeeping ensured the Super Falcons preserved their advantage to secure a priceless three points.

Earlier in the day, Malawi continued their impressive start to the tournament with a 3-1 victory over Egypt, backing up their shock opening win against Nigeria with another assured display.

The Scorchers took control of the contest before the break through goals from Rose Kadzere and Faith Chinzimu, establishing a deserved two-goal advantage at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium.

Malawi's task became more challenging seven minutes into the second half when Rose Alufandika was sent off for denying Habiba Essam a clear goalscoring opportunity as the last defender.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Malawi extended their lead in the 69th minute through star forward Temwa Chawinga, who capitalised on a defensive lapse to head home after beating goalkeeper Maha Shehata to the ball.

Egypt pulled one back two minutes later when Eman Kassem headed in a free-kick to score her country's first goal of the tournament after suffering a 6-0 defeat to Zambia in their opening match.

Attention now turns to Wednesday's decisive Group C fixtures, where qualification for the knockout stage will be decided. Nigeria must avoid defeat against Egypt to keep their hopes of an unprecedented 11th WAFCON title alive, while Malawi and Zambia face off in another crucial encounter.

The second round of group-stage matches concludes on Sunday, with Group D leaders Ghana taking on Cameroon, while Mali face Cabo Verde in Casablanca.