Nigeria thrash Zambia to reach Wafcon semi-finals

With a 5-0 victory over Zambia in Casablanca, Nigeria advanced to the semi-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The record-breaking nine-time champions were expected to face a tough challenge from The Copper Queens, but they were blown away by a stunning performance that was highlighted by the team’s flawless finishing.

Osinachi Ohale, who was left unmarked for a free kick in the second minute and headed past Petronella Musole, was the West Africans’ only goal.

Grace Chanda wasted a wonderful opportunity to equalize at half-time, but three minutes later, Nigeria doubled their lead thanks to Esther Okoronkwo’s impressive finish.

On the stroke of half-time, Chinwendu Ihezuo capitalized on the hesitancy in Zambia’s defense with a composed finish to give the Super Falcons a 3-0 lead.

Midway through the second half, Oluwatosin Demehin scored another precise free-kick midway through the second half at Larbi Zaouli Stadium, and Folashade Ijamilusi added a final strike to add the finishing touch.

Although Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji’s formidable strike partnership, which had scored three goals each in the group stage, failed to score a shot on target between them despite having defeated Nigeria to finish third at the 2022 finals.

In the semi-finals on Tuesday (16:00 GMT), Nigeria will face either South Africa or Senegal, who are still unable to concede a goal in the championship game.

After scoring 0-0 with Algeria on Sunday, Nigeria’s coach Justin Madugu made six changes, including making Okoronkwo her first tournament start, despite having only found the back of the net once in their final two Group B matches.

The striker immediately had an impact when she floated in a deep ball that Ohale met 12 yards out and guided into the right-hand upright with Musole rooted the spot. Nigeria’s purposeful start put their opponents on the back foot.

Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie also prowled outside of her area to clear any danger, but both their set-piece delivery and their crossing from open play both disappointed The Copper Queens.

Banda breezing past a defender on the left to give Chanda a chance to connect with from 12 yards, giving Zambia the only opening of the first half.

After controlling Rasheedat Ajibade’s cross on her chest, Okoronkwo kept her balance and fired into the bottom left-hand corner, which was a costly miss.

The Pachuca frontwoman latched on to a long ball from Nnadozie, which Zambia failed to clear, before side-footing past Musole, with Ihezuo’s third goal of the tournament effectively wrapping up the game at the break.

After overcoming their first challenge on the more difficult side of the draw, Nigeria’s Morocco campaign has been dubbed “Mission X,” and it is still on course for their 10th continental title.

A dominant performance against the Copper Queens will send a strong message to the rest of the field that the squad is motivated to return to West Africa with the trophy they last won in 2018.

The extra day’s rest before their semi-final appearance could prove crucial due to Madugu’s decision to withdraw some of his stars in the dying stages of the game.

Zambia, meanwhile, entered these finals with high hopes after competing in the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the previous two Olympics.

In the opening game, Nora Hauptle’s side only finished behind the Atlas Lionesses in goal difference, but they did so close to defeating the eagerly awaited tournament hosts.

Zambia had no choice despite Nigeria’s quick start, solid defending, and incisive attacking play, despite Banda’s previous mention of wanting to emulate the country’s men’s fairytale success at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.