Super Falcons revive WAFCON hopes with 1-0 win over Zambia despite Oshoala heroics and red card
Super Falcons bounced back from a shocking opening loss to Malawi with a gritty 1-0 victory over Zambia in their 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations Group C match on Saturday. Asisat Oshoala scored the only goal in the 8th minute, latching onto a perfect through ball from captain Rasheedat Ajibade to finish calmly past the Zambian keeper.
The joy was short-lived as Oluwatosin Demehin saw red in the first half for denying Barbara Banda a clear goal-scoring chance, leaving Nigeria to defend with 10 players for over half the game. Despite the disadvantage, the Super Falcons held firm, with Christy Ucheibe slotting into center-back to partner veteran Osarenoma Ohale and keep a clean sheet.
The win keeps Nigeria's quarter-final hopes alive but comes at a cost: Jennifer Echegini picked up a second yellow card in the second half, ruling her out of the final group match against Egypt, while Demehin serves a one-match ban for her red card. Coach Justin Madugu now faces selection headaches as he prepares for the Egypt clash.
With Egypt still to come and the knockout rounds approaching, this victory proved the Super Falcons' resilience remains intact. Will Madugu find the right balance to secure qualification without his suspended midfielders, or will the Super Falcons' experience carry them through?