The Super Falcons of Nigeria cruised into the semi-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Zambia in their quarter-final clash in Casablanca on Friday.
The commanding win served as sweet revenge for the nine-time African champions, who lost 1-0 to the Copper Queens in the third-place match of the 2021 edition, also held in Morocco.
Nigeria came out firing from the first whistle, and veteran centre-back Osinachi Ohale opened the scoring just two minutes into the game. The Falcons continued to dominate, and Esther Okoronkwo doubled the lead in the 33rd minute with a composed finish.
The West Africans extended their dominance as Chiwendu Ihezuo punished a defensive error to score her third goal of the tournament, strengthening her position as a contender for the Golden Boot.
Although Zambia improved after the break, Nigeria’s defence stood firm. In the 68th minute, Tosin Demehin nodded home a well-delivered cross from Okoronkwo to make it 4-0.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade capped off the night in stoppage time with an assist to Folashade Ijamilusi, who slotted in the fifth goal to seal a comprehensive win.
With this result, Coach Justine Madugu’s team advances to the semi-finals, where they will face the winner of the highly anticipated clash between defending champions South Africa (Banyana Banyana) and Senegal on Tuesday.
