By Teddy Nwanunobi
Ahead of the all-important final Group C game of the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF African Cup of Nations 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco against Egypt today (Wednesday), the defending champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria, have set target to ensure their qualification for the quarter-finals.
The 10-time WAFCON winners surprisingly lost to tournament debutants, the Scorchers of Malawi, 3-2 in their group’s opening game, but bounced back to a hard-fought 1-0 victory against the Copper Queens of Zambia on Saturday night to rekindle their title defence hope.
Despite playing for more than half of the contest with 10 women, following a red card to defender, Oluwatosin Demehin, who was sent off for bringing down Zambia captain, Barbra Banda, just before halftime, the African multiple champions held on to the vital win.
With a game left to play in the group, Malawi lead with maximum six points, after beating Egypt in their second game, Nigeria, who are tied to three points which Zambia, are second (on Head-to-Head rule), while Egypt are fourth without a point.
Speaking after the game against Zambia, Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, said that Nigeria’s players were prepared to die on the pitch rather than suffer back-to-back defeats at the tournament.
With their title defence hanging by a thread, after the shock defeat to Malawi, Justine Madugu’s side, who were under intense pressure heading into the Zambia fixture, took the lead with veteran striker, Asisat Oshoala’s eighth-minute strike.
Speaking after the match, Ajibade said the players understood there was no room for relaxation after the Malawi setback.
“I’m good. The Lord is my strength. I’m good. Well, not from the anger of the Malawi game. We knew that we just had to win. It’s either we die on that pitch, you know. So we’re playing with every energy, the strength, the spirit within us to win this game. So there’s no time to relax,” she added.
The Nigeria captain also revealed that her faith carried her through the moment Demehin was dismissed, insisting she was not worried despite Nigeria being reduced to 10 players against one of the continent’s most dangerous attacking sides.
“Honestly, I wasn’t worried. I was going onto the pitch with the word of God because I knew when God said He’s going to help us, so I held on to God’s word,” she said.
“When that red card came in, you know sometimes God does not do things in a very easy way. He does it in a way that everyone would know that He’s the one in charge and He takes all the glory in His hand,” Ajibade added.
Zambia piled on the pressure in the second half, but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced another assured display while the Nigerian backline held firm to protect Oshoala’s goal.
Ajibade said there was never a moment of panic within the camp, insisting the players always believed they would get the job done.
The victory has revived Nigeria’s hopes of progressing from the group, with a decisive final match against Egypt on Wednesday still to come. The Super Falcons, chasing a record-extending 11th WAFCON title, need at least a draw against the Pharaohs to guarantee their place in the knockout stage.