The Copper Queens of Zambia flatttered to deceive at the ongoing Women Africa Cup.of Nations in Morocco. The southern Africans had scored six goals in the group stage, drawing 2-2 against the host nation before beating Senegal and DR Congo 3-2 and 1-0 respectively in subsequent games.
Setting up a quarterfinal clash with the Super Falcons of Nigeria who had scored four goals in the group stage with a 3-0 whitewash of Tunisia, a hard fought 1-0 win over Botswana and a drab scoreless game againt Algeria, the Zambians, already being regarded as an emerging African powerhouse, were tipped by analysts as favourites in the potentially explosive encounter. The more so as the Falcons have swindled in recent WAFCON tournaments.
But barely did the Friday’s quarterfinal kicked off when the Falcons, nine-time champions of the WAFCON, brought their pedigree to bear on the game with defender Osinachi Ohale connecting with a header inside the Zambian box from a free kick to score the first goal in less than two minutes.
Thereafter, the Falcons pulverised the Queens who had a couple of rare chances to made amends, although still had goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie standing between them and the equaliser.
Nigeria’s second goal in the 33rd minute had a classical touch, Jennifer Echegini making effort to find Ashleigh Plumptre who interchanged passes with captain Rasheedat Ajibade who in turn dummied two Zambian defenders before finding an on-rushing Esther Okoronkwo who made no mistake in making hay.
Just before half time, the Falcons put the game beyond their opponents when keeper Nnadozie lofted a long ball into the enemy territory, which was only smothered in the direction of a lurking Chinwendu Ihezuo who picked her fancied angle to compound the Zambian woe.
There were further goals late in the second half by the hard working Falcons. Defender Tosin Demehin found one easily while Folasade Ijamilusi, who got her first game of the tournament, added the fifth goal of the evening to send the Zambians wondering what had hit them on a day they were expected to shine.
Falcons’ Coach, Justine Madugu, who could not hide his emotion, said his charges had amazed him with their performance. “They left nothing to chance and I think they deserved this big win,” Madugu, who said he would adopt similar strategy in the semifinal, remarked.
But Zambia captain, Barbra Banda, admitted it was a bad day for the Queens as neither the players nor the technical crew expected the result. “It’s so sad we are going home this way and I think we have learnt this lesson here the hard way. Surely, we will bounce back,” she said.
Falcons’ captain Ajibade however dismissed suggestions that the team is now set to accomplish the mission of winning the tournament for the tenth time, pleading caution. “We have played only four games and we are left with two, if we get to the final. This is the crucial stage and what we need now is to keep our focus,” Ajibade said.
Published on July 19, 2025
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