No Mercy Super Falcons Humble Zambia to Seal WAFCON Semi-Final Spot

Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced a scintillating display in Casablanca on Friday, dismantling Zambia 5-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in emphatic style.

Goals from Osinachi Ohale, Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Oluwatosin Demehin, and Folashade Ijamilusi highlighted a dominant performance that underlined the Falcons’ credentials as tournament favourites and extended their remarkable record of reaching the last four in every edition of the competition.

The commanding win at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium not only avenged Nigeria’s 1-0 defeat to Zambia in the 2022 third-place playoff, but also dispelled doubts raised by their sluggish group stage, where they had managed just four goals in three matches.

It took just 90 seconds for Nigeria to assert control. Ohale, unmarked from a set piece, nodded home a pinpoint delivery from Okoronkwo to open the scoring. From there, it was one-way traffic.

Zambia struggled to settle, with poor set-pieces and crosses compounding their defensive frailties. Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, largely untroubled, swept up effectively behind her backline and launched the move that led to the third goal.

Before then, Okoronkwo doubled the lead in the 33rd minute with a composed finish after chesting down Rasheedat Ajibade’s cross and slotting low into the corner. Ihezuo then added a third just before half-time, capitalising on indecision in Zambia’s defence to finish coolly and virtually put the result beyond doubt.

In the second half, Demehin added a fourth with a powerful header from another Okoronkwo set-piece delivery, before substitute Ijamilusi rounded off the rout in stoppage time, tapping in Ajibade’s cross for her first goal of the tournament.

While Nigeria found their attacking rhythm, Zambia’s much-heralded front line of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji was neutralised throughout, failing to register a single shot on target. Banda had created a rare first-half opening for Grace Chanda, but the midfielder’s miskick summed up the Copper Queens’ frustrating afternoon.

Head coach Justine Madugu made six changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Algeria, including giving Okoronkwo her first start of the tournament a decision that paid immediate dividends as the striker played a pivotal role in the win.

The result sends a clear message to Nigeria’s rivals that the nine-time champions are rediscovering their best form at a crucial stage of the competition. Branded as ‘Mission X’, the campaign in Morocco is aimed at securing a record-extending 10th title and based on this performance, the Falcons look well on course.

Next up for Nigeria is a semi-final clash on Tuesday against either defending champions South Africa or Senegal, who face off on Saturday in the final quarter-final match.

Zambia, meanwhile, bow out of the competition after high expectations following recent appearances at the Olympics and the Women’s World Cup. Hopes of replicating their men’s 2012 AFCON triumph were dashed by Nigeria’s relentless energy, clinical finishing, and defensive solidity.

In four WAFCON meetings, Nigeria have now scored 18 goals against the Copper Queens without reply, a record that reinforces their continental supremacy and puts them just two wins away from reclaiming their crown.