Nigeria’s Super Falcons delivered a ruthless performance to book their place in the semifinals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a commanding 5-0 victory over Zambia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Friday evening.
The nine-time champions came flying out of the blocks and opened the scoring just two minutes into the match. Defender Osinachi Ohale powered home a header from Esther Okoronkwo’s well-delivered cross, giving Nigeria the perfect start and immediately putting Zambia on the back foot.
Zambia struggled to settle in the early stages, visibly shaken by Nigeria’s high tempo and intensity. However, they began to grow into the game, with captain Barbra Banda leading the charge. The Copper Queens registered their first shot in the 17th minute through Banda, but it failed to trouble goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Nigeria’s pressure paid off again in the 33rd minute as a sublime cross from Rasheedat Ajibade found Okoronkwo in space, and the forward showed great technique to chest the ball down and volley it home to double the Falcons’ lead.
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As halftime approached, Nigeria struck again. A long ball from Nnadozie was misjudged by the Zambian defence, allowing Chiwendu Ihezuo to pounce and fire home her third goal of the tournament, giving Nigeria a dominant 3-0 lead at the break.
In the second half, Zambia returned with renewed intent and nearly pulled one back early on, but Banda collided with Nnadozie in the box, failing to capitalise. The Copper Queens continued to push for a goal, but Nigeria’s defence held firm, extending their impressive run of clean sheets to four consecutive matches at the tournament.
The Super Falcons put the result beyond doubt in the 68th minute when Okoronkwo once again showed her class from a set-piece. Her precise delivery found defender Tosin Demehin, who rose highest to head home Nigeria’s fourth of the evening.
The Super Falcons capped off the rout in the closing moments of the match as Folashade Ijamilusi got on the scoresheet with her first goal of the tournament, completing the 5-0 demolition.
With the win, Nigeria advance to the semifinals in style and await the winner of the quarterfinal clash between South Africa and Senegal. Meanwhile, Zambia’s WAFCON journey ends in the last eight, as the Copper Queens fall short of matching their 2022 third-place finish.
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