Just four days after suffering one of the biggest shocks in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations history, Nigeria rediscovered the fighting spirit that has defined their dominance on the continent.
Facing a Zambia side brimming with confidence after their 6-0 demolition of Egypt, the Super Falcons overcame a first half red card to secure a gritty 1-0 victory at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Saturday night, keeping their hopes of retaining the WAFCON title firmly alive.
Asisat Oshoala’s eighth minute strike ultimately separated the sides, but the story of the night belonged to Nigeria’s resilience after playing more than 50 minutes with 10 players following Tosin Demehin’s dismissal.
The victory was exactly the response head coach Justine Madugu demanded after the defending champions were stunned 3-2 by tournament debutants Malawi on Matchday One a result that left Nigeria staring at the unthinkable prospect of a first ever group stage elimination.
6 times Best African player Oshoala delivered the glass jaw when Nigeria needed her most to give Nigeria the lead. PhotoCredit: CAFOnline
After wasting an early opportunity, Oshoala made no mistake moments later when Rasheedat Ajibade released her with a perfectly weighted long pass. The six-time African Women’s Player of the Year capitalised on goalkeeper Hazel Nali’s fumble before calmly guiding the loose ball into the net.
The goal was Oshoala’s 15th in WAFCON history, further strengthening her status among the competition’s greatest goalscorers while immediately settling Nigeria’s nerves.
Nigeria appeared in control until the contest took a dramatic turn before halftime.
Demehin had already escaped a potential dismissal in the 30th minute after referee Josephine Wanjiku overturned an initial yellow card following a VAR review involving Barbra Banda.
But 10 minutes later there was no reprieve.
Demehin was sent off for fouling Banda for the second time. PhotoCredit: Getty images
The Galatasaray defender was shown a straight red card after bringing down Banda as the prolific striker threatened to race through on goal, leaving Nigeria to defend their slender advantage with a numerical disadvantage for the remainder of the contest.
The sending off some however transformed the game. Instead of chasing a second goal, Nigeria were forced into survival mode against one of Africa’s most dangerous attacking teams.
Nigeria silenced Banda and Zambia
Much of the pre-match attention centred on Barbra Banda, who arrived in Rabat after scoring four goals against Egypt and looking capable of carrying Zambia into the knockout rounds almost single handedly.
Instead, Nigeria produced one of their most disciplined defensive displays in recent years.
Osinachi Ohale marshalled the backline superbly, Christy Ucheibe repeatedly screened the defence, while second half substitute Shukurat Oladipo slotted seamlessly into the reshaped back four after replacing Rofiat Imuran at halftime.
Together, they largely neutralised Banda, who found herself closely marked throughout the evening and was prevented from producing the devastating runs that destroyed Egypt days earlier.
The Zambians dominated possession after the break, but clear-cut opportunities remained scarce as Nigeria defended with composure and intelligence.
Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu previously revealed that Nigeria will adopt a different tactical approach against Zambia after analysing the mistakes that led to their opening defeat to Malawi at WAFCON 2026.
Criticism followed Madugu after the defeat to Malawi, with many questioning his tactical decisions and team selection.
Against Zambia, however, the Nigerian coach responded impressively.
Recognising the challenge after Demehin’s dismissal, he sacrificed attacking ambition for defensive organisation, introducing Oladipo at halftime before later bringing on Halimatu Ayinde, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo to inject fresh energy as Nigeria absorbed relentless pressure.
His substitutions helped Nigeria remain compact while also giving the team brief moments of relief in possession whenever Zambia threatened to build sustained attacks.
Chiamaka Nnadozie PhotoCredit: Getty images
Meanwhile, following questions over her display against Malawi, Chiamaka Nnadozie delivered the composed response expected from one of Africa’s finest goalkeepers.
Although Zambia enjoyed territorial dominance, the three-time African Goalkeeper of the Year remained calm whenever called upon, confidently dealing with crosses and comfortably gathering a late effort as the Copper Queens searched desperately for an equaliser.
Grace Chanda came closest for Zambia deep into stoppage time, but her effort flew harmlessly over the crossbar before referee Josephine Wanjiku signalled the end of an exhausting contest.
Nigeria Super Falcons squad and staff gathered round at full time to pray at the Al Madina stadium, Morocco.
Before kick-off, Nigeria knew another defeat combined with Malawi’s earlier 3-1 victory over Egypt would have left the defending champions on disappointed with an early historic exit.
Instead, they produced a performance built not on flowing football but on resilience, discipline and championship character.
The victory lifts Nigeria onto three points alongside Zambia in Group C, while Malawi remain top with six points after two consecutive victories.
READMORE: ‘We don’t want a repeat of the men’s disappointment’ – Madugu sets Super Falcons’ target
The Super Falcons must still defeat Egypt with interesting margin in their final group match to guarantee a place in the quarter finals, but after surviving arguably their toughest test under immense pressure, belief has returned to the camp.
meanwhile, questions will remain over Demehin’s double dismissal and her discipline against a tricky Banda
But after the disappointment against Malawi, this was exactly the type of gritty, hard earned victory that championship campaigns are often built upon.
