By our reporter 29.7.2026
Super Falcons top striker Asisat Oshoala has urged the team to shake off their shock 3-2 loss to Malawi in the opening game of the Women African Cup of Nations in Rabat, Morocco on Tuesday night.
The defending champions need to come back strong against Zambia on Saturday to put their hopes of qualification for the FIFA Women World Cup alive, if reach the WAFCON semi-final. Oshoala noted that it would be a sad statement for Nigeria football if the women miss the world soccer fiesta in Brazil after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“The only thing I can say right now is we need their support. The World Cup ticket is at stake, so this is the time when we really need everyone to support the team,” Oshoala said.
“We already know the Super Eagles didn’t qualify so we know what is at stake and we know how Nigerians feel about this. We are sorry we lost this one, but the next game we will put in more effort and try to win the game.
“It’s still a long competition so there’s still enough time for us to prepare for the next game and see how it goes.”
Also attacking midfielder Esther Okoronkwo called for a response to the defeat when they play Zambia, they thrashed 4-0 in the semi-final of the 2025 tournament.
“Next game we’re going to come back. We have to come out better than we did this game. We kind of came out like a little flat, but it is what it is,” Okoronkwo said.
“We learned, we’re gonna go back and learn our lesson and learn where we should fix and then come back better in the next game.
“I’ll take full responsibility for it. Next game is gonna be better for sure.”