Super Falcons secured easy passage into the semi-finals of the Women’s AFCON, where they await the winner of the clash between South Africa and Senegal after dismantling Zambia 5-0 in the first quarter-final match of the tournament.
The result is the biggest win in a knockout match in the Women’s AFCON since Nigeria’s 6-0 win over Zimbabwe in the semi-finals almost 25 years ago November 2000.
Even by their standards, not many saw this coming. But perhaps, the masterminds knew all along.
In a pre-match interview with Biola Solace-Chukwu, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie declared:
“We are promising you guys (Nigerians) nothing but good football, classic football—the kind of football we played against Spain during the Olympics, the kind of football we played in Australia during the World Cup.”
Zambia, on their own part also have reason to be optimistic. They ended their winless run against the nine-time champions in their last meeting, a 1-0 victory that helped them secure the bronze medal in the previous edition.
However, the Super Falcons have had more joy in this fixture, winning their first two meetings by an aggregate of 10-0. They were about to extend that dominance after appearing to lose focus in the tournament, having scored just one goal in their last two games.
With six goals in three group-stage games, Zambia were getting ahead of themselves. Nigeria’s struggles in front of goal also added to their ego, with the duo of Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji already setting Morocco on fire.
“My team is hungry, we are here to hunt” these were the words of Zambia coach Nora Hauptle ahead of the clash.
However, despite their unconvincing showings in attack, the Nigerian team have one thing about them, something an attacking team would not see as a threat until they come up against it: their formidable defense.
Including the game against the Southerners, Justin Madugu’s charges have now gone four games in the tournament without conceding a goal. That’s a total of 360 minutes of play, excluding added time.
Super Falcons Humbled Zambia | How it Happened
A complicated result in the end as it showed how wide the gap between the two teams is. But achieving it was rather simple. Super Falcons had a plan, to beat their opponent in duels. And they did just that like they’re professionals against amateurs.
From Osinachi Ohale’s first to the fourth scored by Oluwatosin Demehin, it was all about beating Zambia in aerial duels. Effectively, they executed what was a complicated plan.
They got the party up and running inside the first two minutes, as veteran defender Osinachi Ohale headed home a free-kick from Esther Okoronkwo for her first goal of the tournament.
Zambia, for all their hassle, had no response. The lead was doubled by Esther Okoronkwo three minutes after the hour mark, she controlled the ball with her chest before unleashing a wicked left-footed shot that nestled into the bottom corner.
Then came a third in the final minute of normal time in the first half. A long clearance from goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie put the defenders in an awkward situation, one they couldn’t get under control—as Chiwendu Ihezuo made a run in behind to connect and guide her shot past the goalkeeper for her third of the tournament.
Hauptle Nora made three changes after the restart, hoping her side could rescue something, but the Falcons didn’t stop scoring, adding a fourth in the 68th minute.
It was from another set-piece. Another long ball. Another duel. Another goal. Oluwatosin Demehin headed home a free-kick from Esther Okoronkwo for her first goal of the tournament, with the 28-year-old forward recording her third assist so far in Morocco.
There was still time for Folashade Ijamilusi to get in on the party with the fifth in the first minute of added time, arriving at the back post to tap home a Rasheedat Ajibade cross to complete to rout.
It was almost an unbelievable sight. Nigeria, who had scored four times in three group games, put five past Zambia, without reply, their supposed toughest opponent so far.
But it does show the level the team is at. For them, it is all about the team and not individuals. Asisat Oshoala was on the bench for majority of the game. And the five goals were scored by five different players. Again, it’s the team.
For Zambia, it was all about the form of Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji. But a defense that had not conceded a goal up to that point remained resolute and completely neutralized the threat carried by the duo.
“The result underscored the fact that Zambia still have much to learn to sit at the top table of African women’s football, and that though the Super Falcons may take things easy sometimes against the opposition, their venom and bite remain as poisonous and deadly as ever,” a statement from the NFF media read at full-time.
Mission X survives yet another hurdle and is now two wins away from completion. A difficult task has been put to bed, but tougher ones lie ahead, with defending champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa, a potential semi-final opponent.
Yet the showing against Zambia proved that despite adversities, Nigeria remains the powerhouse of women’s football on the continent. And no other team or nation can carry the tag of “favourites” while the nine-time champions are still in the hunt.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
