Nigeria defeated Zambia 5-0 on Friday in Casablanca to advance to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semi-finals. It was one-way traffic as the Super Falcons displayed a merciless display of power and accuracy, despite the Copper Queens being predicted to challenge the nine-time champions.
Two minutes into the game, center-back Osinachi Ohale went up unmarked and headed home a free kick, leaving Zambian goalkeeper Petronella Musole powerless to stop Nigeria’s immediate impact. At the half-hour mark, Zambia had a fantastic opportunity to tie the score, but Grace Chanda wasted it.
A few minutes later, Nigeria doubled their lead thanks to a well-taken strike from Esther Okoronkwo. Chinwendu Ihezuo took advantage of defensive lapses just before halftime to score Nigeria’s third goal with ease, effectively ending the match before the interval.
Halfway through the second half, Oluwatosin Demehin scored a header from another deftly delivered free-kick to give the team a fourth goal. Substitute Folashade Ijamilusi finished the rout with a clinical finish in added time.
Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, Zambia’s star strikers, who each scored three goals in the group stage, were kept completely silent and failed to register a single shot on goal. Zambia had previously defeated Nigeria at the 2022 WAFCON.
Nigeria is still the only team in the tournament without giving up a goal after this decisive victory.
They will now play in Tuesday’s semi-final at 16:00 GMT against either Senegal or the reigning champions, South Africa.
