Nigeria’s Super Falcons hold off Zambia after Tosin Demehin red card at WAFCON

Nigeria’s Super Falcons secured a 1-0 victory over Zambia’s Copper Queens in Rabat on Saturday, despite playing more than half of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations group-stage match with 10 players.

Asisat Oshoala scored the only goal of the game in the eighth minute, giving the defending champions a crucial three points and extending their record in the tournament. Nigeria are 10-time African champions.

The Super Falcons began with intent and their early pressure produced the breakthrough. Oshoala collected a precise pass inside the penalty area before calmly finishing beyond the goalkeeper to put Nigeria ahead.

Zambia were unable to find an immediate response, but the match changed dramatically shortly before half-time.

Nigeria central defender Tosin Demehin was first shown a yellow card following a challenge involving Zambia forward Barbra Banda. That decision was later overturned after a lengthy Video Assistant Referee review identified an offside in the build-up.

However, Demehin was dismissed in the 40th minute after another heavy challenge involving Banda. The red card left Nigeria with 10 players for the remainder of the match and forced Head Coach Justin Madugu to reorganise his side.

Madugu responded by strengthening the defence early in the second half, bringing on Shukurat Oladipo for debutant Rofiat Imuran.

The Copper Queens then applied sustained pressure as they sought an equaliser, but Nigeria’s reshaped backline remained compact and disciplined. The Super Falcons also retained a threat on the counter-attack, with Uchenna Kanu and substitute Esther Okoronkwo providing outlets when possession turned over.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie played a key role as Zambia increased the pressure late in the contest. She and the reorganised defence held firm through the final stages to preserve Nigeria’s narrow advantage.

The result gives the Super Falcons back-to-back victories over Zambia in the continental championship and underlines their resilience after spending the second half with a numerical disadvantage.

Nigeria will next play Egypt on Wednesday, 5 August 2026. Egypt are still searching for their first points of the tournament after losing their opening two matches.