WAFCON 2026: Oshoala’s Early Strike Earns Super Falcons Crucial Win Over Zambia

Nigeria's Super Falcons secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Zambia's Copper Queens in a thrilling WAFCON group-stage encounter in Rabat on Saturday night. The win, powered by an early clinical finish from star forward Asisat Oshoala, earned the 10-time African champions all three points, despite playing with ten players for more than half the contest.

Nigeria's early pressure paid off in the 8th minute when Oshoala capitalized on a sharp pass inside the box, calmly finishing past the goalkeeper to give the defending champions a well-deserved lead. The match took a dramatic turn before halftime when defender Tosin Demehin received a second yellow card, resulting in a red card and reducing Nigeria to ten players just before the break.

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Nigeria’s early pressure paid off in the 8th minute when Oshoala latched onto a sharp pass inside the box, finishing past the keeper with composure to give the defending champions a well-deserved one-nil lead.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Head Coach Justin Madugu implemented crucial tactical adjustments to maintain structural compactness. Defender Shukurat Oladipo was introduced early in the second half for debutant Rofiat Imuran. The Super Falcons displayed resilience, absorbing sustained pressure from the Copper Queens throughout the second half while remaining a threat on the counter-attack through Uchenna Kanu and substitute Esther Okoronkwo.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and her reorganized defense line held firm under intense late pressure, sealing back-to-back victories over Zambia in the continental championship. The Super Falcons are set to face Egypt on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Egypt enters the match seeking their first points of the tournament after losing their opening two games.

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Despite the numerical disadvantage, Head Coach Justin Madugu made crucial tactical adjustments to maintain structural compactness.