The Queen of Margins, Super Falcons remain in the hunt to retain their WAFCON title, but their narrow escape against Zambia underlined the need for sharper performances as the tournament progresses.
From their stance in the group to the nature of their winning goal and the narrative surrounding their narrow victory over Zambia, the Super Falcons have shown that they are now the Queens of Margins, and they will hope those fine margins continue to favour them as they seek to extend their reign at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
In a must-win match, the Super Falcons scored one lucky goal, and received a straight red card, almost costing themselves a place in the next FIFA Women’s World Cup, but defended resolutely to preserve their advantage and survived to fight other battles.
Asisat Oshoala grabbed an early goal inside the opening eight minutes of Nigeria’s crucial clash with the Copper Queens of Zambia as the Super Falcons finally put behind them their disappointing opening-game defeat to Malawi in Rabat.
The 10-time champions started the game with intent and took a deserved lead through the Al Hilal striker, who took her tally in the competition to 11 goals, moving level into third place on the all-time scoring chart behind only Perpetual Nkwocha and Genoveva Añonma.
The goal came in unconvincing fashion after captain Rashidat Ajibade played Oshoala through on goal. Her initial effort was saved by the goalkeeper before the ball fortuitously rebounded off her thigh and found its way into the net.
Nevertheless, the fact that the Super Falcons have almost dropped to the level of many other African teams was highlighted again following the sending-off of defender Tosin Demehin in the 40th minute, leaving Nigeria to play with 10 players for more than 50 minutes.
They produced a determined display to hold on for the victory, knowing what was at stake. However, winning in such circumstances also underlined that the gap between Nigeria and the rest of the continent is no longer as wide as the number of continental titles might suggest.
The Super Falcons have won 10 continental titles, while the rest of Africa has shared just three between them. However, the significance of that proud history has become less relevant with the emergence of stronger competitions and a new generation of players across the continent.
For the Super Falcons, that history may have created a sense of complacency, reflected in the celebrations before matches. However, the historic opening-game defeat to Malawi, which left them relying on fine margins, should serve as a timely wake-up call.
Every team now believes it has a chance to make history, just as 2026 debutants Malawi have done by winning their opening two matches, including a sensational victory over the Super Falcons.
In that game, they became the first team to score three goals against Nigeria in a single WAFCON match.
Ahead of their final group game against Egypt, where they will not only need to win but do so convincingly, Justine Madugu and his team will be fully aware of the stakes and, hopefully, the lessons from their opening two matches.
Both of Nigeria’s games at the 2026 WAFCON could have gone either way, with the margins favouring them only once. In the absence of the suspended duo of Joe Echegini and Tosin Demehin, the Super Falcons must produce a convincing performance against an already-eliminated Egypt side.
If the Super Falcons are to defend their continental crown, they must begin relying more on the quality of their performances than on the fine margins that have shaped their campaign so far, because once the knockout stage begins, those margins may no longer be enough to carry them to the title.
