The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco delivered a tense, pivotal Group C clash on Saturday, as defending champions Nigeria pulled off a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia to reignite their campaign to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. This edition of continental women’s football’s premier tournament doubles as a World Cup qualification pathway: all four semi-finalists earn automatic spots in next year’s global competition in Brazil, while beaten quarter-finalists get a second chance via inter-confederation play-offs.
Nigeria entered the match against Zambia, nicknamed the Copper Queens, on the brink of an unexpected early exit. A stunning 3-2 opening defeat to tournament debutants Malawi just four days prior left the Super Falcons facing elimination before they could hit their stride, putting immense pressure on the side to deliver a result.
The West African side got off to a dream start, with six-time African Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala breaking the deadlock in just the eighth minute. After Zambia goalkeeper Hazel Nali saved Oshoala’s first shot on goal, the ball ricocheted off the former Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona forward’s right thigh and looped into the net, putting Nigeria ahead early.
The game shifted dramatically five minutes before halftime at Rabat’s Al Medina Stadium, however, when Nigeria centre-back Oluwatosin Demehin was shown a red card following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review. Demehin had dragged down Zambia star striker Barbra Banda, and referee Josphine Wanjiku upgraded her initial yellow card to a red after ruling Demehin was the last defender between Banda and the goal. Replays cast doubt on the call, showing Nigeria teammate Rofiat Imuran appeared to be in a covering position behind Demehin.
Down to 10 players for the entire second half, Nigeria withstood wave after wave of Zambia pressure, but the Copper Queens failed to convert their numerical advantage into an equalizer. Zambia’s best chance came in stoppage time, when Grace Chanda fired a volley over the crossbar from close range, letting Nigeria off the hook. Earlier in the half, a long-range free kick from Racheal Kundananji was pushed around the post by Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to keep the clean sheet intact. Banda, once the most expensive female player in African football, was largely held in check by the depleted Super Falcons defense after halftime.
For Nigeria, a side that has qualified for every edition of the Women’s World Cup in history – reaching the quarter-finals in 1999 and the round of 16 at the past two tournaments – Oshoala once again proved to be their match-winner when it mattered most.
Following the result, Nigeria and Zambia both sit level on three points in Group C, trailing surprise early leaders Malawi, who notched a second consecutive win with a 3-1 defeat of Egypt earlier on Saturday to hold a maximum six points from two matches. The final round of group stage matches will take place next Wednesday, with Nigeria facing Egypt and Zambia taking on Malawi to decide which sides advance.
In other WAFCON 2026 action, host nation Morocco has already secured its place in the quarter-finals with one group match remaining. But 2022 tournament champions South Africa are in serious danger of missing out on World Cup qualification, having picked up just one point from their opening two Group B matches. The two-time World Cup participants must beat Burkina Faso in their final group match on Tuesday, and hope Ivory Coast defeats Tanzania to advance.