Zambia defeated the Southern Africans 5-0 on Friday to reach the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 quarter-final at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
The Falcons won the tournament’s semi-final with goals from Osinachi Ohale, Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Oluwatosin Demehin, and Folashade Ijamilusi.
Some things remain the same, including #MissionX #SoarSuperFalcons #WAFCON2024 https://t.co/WWKFNeYYmI pic. twitter.com/RX1XVQVdz5
When they lost to Zambia 0-1 the last time they met in the third place match of WAFCON 2022, Nigeria were hoping to bury the remnants of the previous.
The Super Falcons needed a spark, and it did so right away when Osinachi crossed over to give the nine-time WAFCON champion a deserved lead.
The Zambian side’s attack continued as the match progressed, with Barbara Banda, the 2024 African Women’s Footballer of the Year, spearheading the charge.
However, this time in the 26th minute, Nigeria doubled their lead thanks to Okoronkwo, who hit a half-volley in the opposition’s perfect half-volley to beat Zambian stopper Ngambo Musole.
33 ‘ Nigeria 2-0 Zambia
The Casablanca Esther Okoronkwo Show is on!
She wins the tournament’s first prize and the second of the #MissionX #SoarSuperFalcons #WAFCON2024 photo. twitter.com/BGLx5GcOm0
Chinwendu, who was unable to stop a challenge and perfectly slot the ball into the left-hand side of the goal post, scored Nigeria’s third goal in the 45th minute.
The Super Falcons jumped out to a 3-3 lead in the second half and resurrended their winning ways with sharp passes before Musole denied them.
One team . One mind. #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic. twitter.com/FRWh92mvSa
However, the Super Falcons’ persistent pressure paid off in the 68th minute when Demehin fired a close-range goal home.
Asisat Oshoala and Christy Ucheibe were traded in for Okoronkwo and Halimatu by coach Justin Madugu.
Marvelous Ohale . #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic. twitter.com/nDWNKUFXE2
After that action, Madugu’s side’s Nigerian side quickly found another goal and the result was a new one.
Ijamilusi ran in the near-post after the captain’s cross found him, giving Nigeria a five-goal lead in the 91st minute.
With the 2024 World Cup, Nigeria has now won four games without conceding a single goal thanks to Friday’s victory. Additionally, it provided a record-breaking 13th semi-final appearance for the Super Falcons.
Source: Channels TV
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