A first-half goal from striker Asisat Oshoala handed Nigeria a 1-0 victory over Zambia in a tightly contested TotalEnergies WAFCON Morocco 2026 Group C match played at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Saturday.
Oshoala struck in the seventh minute after racing onto a through ball to beat goalkeeper Hazel Nali and give the Super Falcons their first win of the tournament. Coach Nora Häuptle kept faith with the same starting eleven that thrashed Egypt 6-0 in the opening match, while Nigeria made five changes following their defeat to Malawi.
The Copper Queens made a good start and looked comfortable in possession, but Nigeria remained dangerous on the counterattack. Nali denied Oshoala early on before the Nigerian striker broke through again moments later to score what proved to be the only goal of the match.
Zambia thought they had earned a dangerous free kick midway through the first half after captain Barbra Banda was fouled, but a VAR check overturned the decision.
Minutes later, another challenge on Banda saw Nigeria defender Oluwatosin Demehin sent off after her yellow card was upgraded to a red card for denying the Copper Queens captain a clear goalscoring opportunity.
With a numerical advantage, Häuptle reshuffled her side after the break, introducing Enelesi Phiri, Evarine Katongo, Mercy Chipasula and Saliya Mwanza before making a forced change when Racheal Kundananji limped off injured.
Zambia looked dominant with ball possession in the second half and threw everything at Nigeria, but the lassies were not clinical in front of goal.
And speaking during a post – match press conference, Häuptle said her side had controlled large spells of the game and created enough chances to beat the defending champions after the sending off.
“It was in our hands and we did not take the chance. It was all there that we could beat Nigeria tonight,” Häuptle said.
The Swiss coach said the team’s focus had now shifted to the final Group C fixture against Malawi. “We now need to gain points and we need to beat Malawi to stay in the tournament,” she said.
Striker Racheal Kundananji urged Zambians to continue believing in the team despite the loss.”They shouldn’t give up on us so easily. We still have another game and we are going to do our best.” Said Kundananji.
Defender Margaret Belemu also called for improvement at both ends of the pitch. Zambia remain second in Group C on three points ahead of Nigeria on goal difference and are now preparing for a decisive final group match against Malawi on August 5, 2026.
