Super Falcons show resilience to keep WAFCON title defence alive

Nigeria’s Super Falcons overcame a red card and sustained pressure from Zambia to secure a crucial 1-0 victory at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with Asisat Oshoala’s early goal keeping their title defence on track.

For more than 50 minutes, Nigeria played with 10 players after Oluwatosin Demehin was dismissed. Against a Zambia side renowned for the pace and power of its attack, the Super Falcons appeared vulnerable, particularly after their shock opening defeat by Malawi.

But the reigning champions held firm.

The victory was shaped not only by Oshoala’s finish, but also by the mentality shown by the squad once the numerical disadvantage became a reality. Several of Nigeria’s senior players described a team that stayed composed, accepted additional responsibility and continued fighting for one another.

Nobody panicked and nobody surrendered, they said.

Oshoala, a six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, gave Nigeria the perfect start by scoring the only goal of the match. Yet the veteran forward felt the decisive stage of the contest came after Demehin’s dismissal, when every player understood that she would have to contribute even more.

Rather than simply retreating and attempting to protect their lead, Oshoala said Nigeria continued to look for further opportunities to score. That approach reflected the confidence and determination that allowed the Super Falcons to remain a threat while also limiting Zambia’s dangerous front three.

Ajibade: victory was the only acceptable result

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade had previously explained that the defeat by Malawi had changed the squad’s mindset before the Zambia game. Nigeria approached the match knowing their tournament prospects were under serious pressure, and Ajibade said there was only one result they were prepared to accept.

Victory.

Even after Nigeria went down to 10 players, the captain said she never lost belief in the outcome. Drawing on her Christian faith, Ajibade viewed the adversity as something that could make the eventual success more significant.

She had earlier captured the squad’s attitude in stark terms: “We Were Ready to Die on That Pitch!”

Defender Glory Ogbonna shared that outlook. She said the players understood that an immediate response to the Malawi setback was essential, but insisted the squad’s ambition had not changed.

Nigeria still believe they can retain their continental crown.

Ogbonna said the win over Zambia demonstrated the fighting spirit that has long been associated with the country’s women’s national team. The players, she added, would continue to battle because their collective aim remains to win another WAFCON title and stay champions of Africa.

Unity helped Nigeria withstand Zambia

Midfielder Deborah Abiodun praised the togetherness within Justin Madugu’s squad, describing the result as a collective achievement rather than the work of only those who started the match.

She said every player contributed, whether on the pitch or among the substitutes, and that the team’s overriding objective was to make Nigerians proud after the disappointment against Malawi.

That sense of shared responsibility became particularly important once Nigeria were reduced to 10 players. Abiodun’s comments underlined the unity in the camp during one of the tournament’s biggest tests so far.

Veteran forward Francisca Ordega said experience also helped the team control its emotions. Although Nigeria spent much of the game a player short, she insisted there was no panic in the dressing room at half-time.

Ordega, who has faced similar situations during her international career, said the senior players quickly encouraged the younger members of the squad. Their instruction was straightforward: remain calm, stay focused and complete the task.

That composure proved vital as Nigeria resisted repeated waves of Zambian pressure.

The result has revived the Super Falcons’ pursuit of a record-extending 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title. If the defeat by Malawi exposed weaknesses in Nigeria’s opening performance, the victory over Zambia served as a reminder of why dismissing the defending champions is dangerous.

Nigeria’s WAFCON campaign remains alive, but they now require a win and three points from their final group-stage match against Egypt.

Egypt are bottom of the table with no points, while Nigeria are second. Malawi lead the group on six points and Zambia are third with three.

The battle for the top two places therefore remains open among the leading three teams, with Nigeria’s next match carrying decisive importance.