By our reporter 2.8.2026
Super Falcons survived almost 50 minutes of bombardment by Zambia’s Copper Queens in Saturday’s Women African Cup of Nations group C tie after Blessing Demehin was given the marching orders.
One woman in the centre of the resistance was Mitchelle Alozie; but she has praised the efforts of the team at keeping Zambia at bay as they held on to run away with a lone goal scored in the 8th minute by Asisat Oshoala. She outpaced two defenders unleashed a shot, which goalkeeper Hazel Nali fumbled and giving Oshoala another chance tip the ball into the net.
Alozie was named woman of the match but according to her: “I don’t know whether I deserve the woman of match award, it was a collective effort… all 15 of us deserve the woman of the match; and we are happy with result which puts us in a good place.”
Goal scorer Oshoala added: “Things happen and we have to do double jobs on the pitch, and we never had the thought of going down.”
The Super Falcons were reduced to 10 players after 40 minutes when Demehin was red carded for fouling star Zambia striker Barbra Banda at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat. But that did not deter the Super Falcons who needed to win the match and stay in the tournament from pulling through.
They now occupy second spot behind Malawi the surprise team of group C who beat Egypt 3-1. Nigeria need to beat Egypt with as much as four goals, and would qualify if Zambia lose or draw to Malawi in their group games.
