14th Women AFCON: Super Falcons Seek To Bounce Back Against Zambia

 AFOLABI SAHEED OLAWALE

Cup-holders Nigeria are determined to put their campaign back on track with victory over Zambia in their second match of Group C at the Women Africa Cup of Nations finals ongoing in Morocco.

 

The 10-time champions were scorched 3-2 by debutants Malawi in their opening match in Rabat on Tuesday – a result that sent shockwaves around the world of women’s football.

 

After a scoreless first half, Malawi went two goals up before three goals were scored in added time, two by Nigeria and one more by Malawi, giving the southern Africans a dream first-ever game at Africa’s flagship women’s football tournament.

 

On Saturday, the Falcons will seek to send a fresh message to opponents that they remain at the top of the tree in the African game, and that message can only be properly couched via a good hiding of the Copper Queens.

 

The task will not be easy as Zambia presently top the group on goals difference, after their 6-0 thumping of Egypt, and flaunts one of the most feared strikers in global women’s football in the pacy and skillful Barbara Banda. There are also Rachael Kundananji and Grace Chanda.

 

For the Super Falcons, and for most Nigerian ball fans, it is simply inconceivable that Africa’s best team will be missing from the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, having attended every edition of the global houseparty since it was launched in China in 1991. Only a handsome win over the Zambians will keep the light of hope burning.

 

Both teams have axes to grind against each other. In 2022, the Copper Queens ensured the Super Falcons finished the Women AFCON without a medal, beating the Cup-holders in the third-place match.

 

Last year, the Super Falcons exacted revenge, hitting the Zambians by five goals in a quarter-final duel.  

 

Head Coach Justine Madugu said: “We are focused and not deterred. Our objective remains picking the FIFA World Cup ticket and going ahead to retain our trophy.”