Nigeria’s Super Falcons claimed a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Zambia in a highly anticipated 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group B clash, with veteran striker Asisat Oshoala scoring the decisive goal.
The win earned Nigeria three valuable points in a closely contested encounter that saw the Super Falcons display resilience and defensive discipline, particularly after being reduced to ten players.
Oshoala Strikes Early
Nigeria made the perfect start, taking the lead in just the 8th minute.
A defensive mistake by Zambia allowed Asisat Oshoala to pounce, and the experienced forward made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to give the Super Falcons an early 1–0 advantage.
The early breakthrough settled Nigeria, who controlled much of the opening exchanges while Zambia searched for a route back into the match.
Super Falcons Reduced to Ten Players
The match took a dramatic turn in the 40th minute when Nigeria were shown a red card, forcing the Super Falcons to play the remainder of the game with ten players.
Despite being a player down, Nigeria remained organised and disciplined, frustrating Zambia’s attack and limiting clear scoring opportunities.
Zambia Push but Nigeria Hold Firm
The Copper Queens dominated possession in the second half and launched wave after wave of attacks, led by captain Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji.
However, Nigeria’s defence stood firm, with goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie producing a composed performance whenever she was called into action.
The Super Falcons defended resolutely until the final whistle to secure a valuable clean sheet and all three points.
Goalscorer
- 8′ – Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)
A Massive Result for Nigeria
The victory strengthens Nigeria’s position in Group B and reinforces their status as one of the favourites to lift the WAFCON trophy.
Winning against one of Africa’s strongest attacking teams while playing much of the match with ten players will give the Super Falcons tremendous confidence heading into the knockout stages.
Zambia Left Frustrated
Despite creating several promising opportunities, Zambia were unable to find the breakthrough.
The Copper Queens will take encouragement from their attacking play but will know they must be more clinical in front of goal as the tournament progresses.
Final Thoughts
Nigeria’s 1–0 victory over Zambia was built on an early strike from Asisat Oshoala and an outstanding defensive display. After taking the lead inside eight minutes, the Super Falcons showed tremendous determination to protect their advantage, even after being reduced to ten players.
For Zambia, it was a frustrating afternoon despite their attacking efforts. For Nigeria, it was a performance that highlighted the team’s experience, resilience, and ability to grind out important victories against top opposition.
