10-Woman Super Falcons Hold Firm to Beat Zambia 1-0
Nigeria’s Super Falcons showed great resilience and defensive discipline to beat Zambia’s Copper Queens 1-0 in their WAFCON group-stage clash in Rabat on Saturday night.
Asisat Oshoala scored the only goal of the game in the eighth minute, calmly finishing inside the box after connecting with a fine pass to give the defending champions an early lead.
Nigeria were reduced to 10 players shortly before half-time when defender Tosin Demehin was sent off following a second challenge involving Zambia forward Barbra Banda.
Demehin had earlier received a yellow card for a challenge on Banda, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review found an offside in the build-up. However, another clash between the pair in the 40th minute saw the Nigerian defender shown a second yellow card and sent off.
Despite being a player down for more than half of the match, the Super Falcons defended resolutely and stayed organised.
Head coach Justin Madugu made a tactical change at the start of the second half, bringing on Shukurat Oladipo for debutant Rofiat Imuran.
Zambia pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Nigeria’s defence stood firm. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie also made important saves to keep the Copper Queens at bay, while Uchenna Kanu and substitute Esther Okoronkwo offered an attacking threat on the counter.
The victory gives the Super Falcons back-to-back wins over Zambia in the competition and keeps their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.
Nigeria will play Egypt in their final group match on Wednesday, August 5. Egypt are still searching for their first points after losing their opening two games.
