Super Falcons stun Zambia 5-0 to reach WAFCON semi final
Nigeria stormed into the semi-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Zambia on Friday in Casablanca.
The Copper Queens were tipped to challenge the nine-time champions, but it was one-way traffic as the Super Falcons put on a ruthless display of power and precision.
Nigeria made an instant impact when centre-back Osinachi Ohale rose unmarked to head home a free-kick just two minutes into the match, leaving Zambia goalkeeper Petronella Musole helpless.
Zambia had a golden opportunity to pull level on the half-hour mark, but Grace Chanda squandered her chance. Just minutes later, Esther Okoronkwo punished them with a well-taken strike to double Nigeria’s lead.
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On the brink of half-time, Chinwendu Ihezuo seized on defensive confusion to calmly slot home Nigeria’s third, all but sealing the contest before the break.
Oluwatosin Demehin added a fourth with a header from yet another expertly delivered free-kick midway through the second half, and substitute Folashade Ijamilusi completed the rout in added time with a clinical finish.
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Zambia had previously edged Nigeria for third place at the 2022 WAFCON, but their star strikers Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji each with three goals in the group stage were kept completely quiet, failing to register a single shot on target.
With this commanding win, Nigeria remain the only team yet to concede a goal at the tournament. They will now face either defending champions South Africa or Senegal in Tuesday’s semi-final at 16:00 GMT.
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