WAFCON 2026: Can Super Falcons stop free-scoring Zambia?

Nigeria's Super Falcons face a critical Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) encounter against Zambia today in Casablanca. The defending champions suffered a significant upset in their opening match, losing 3-2 to Malawi despite being heavily favored.

The Nigerian team struggled defensively against Malawi, with sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga playing key roles in the victory. The challenge intensifies against a confident Zambian side, spearheaded by the formidable Barbra Banda. Banda recently delivered a sensational performance, scoring four goals in Zambia's dominant 6-0 victory over Egypt.

This match also presents an opportunity for Zambia to seek revenge. Nigeria handed them a heavy 5-0 defeat in the WAFCON quarter-finals last year. As Nigeria remains the benchmark in African women's football, having won the continental title a record 10 times, this clash is highly anticipated.

With qualification for the knockout stage at stake, this game between two of Africa's strongest women's football teams could signal a shift in the balance of power on the continent. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals. Furthermore, the tournament's semi-finalists will secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil, while losing quarter-finalists will enter playoffs for remaining inter-confederation spots.