By Akinwale Kasali
An eight minute strike from Asisat Oshoala was all the Super Falcons needed to record a 1-0 slim win over the Copper Ladies of Zambia in their Second Group Match in Group C.
Knowing that the encounter is a must win match, Coach Justine Maduagu made Five changes in the team that filed out against the Scorchers of Malawi, with Oshoala, Uchenna Kanu, Rofiat Imuran, Christy Ucheibe and Deborah Abiodun returning to the Starting Line Up.
The Super Falcons made their intention known with an early strike which they held on till the end of the match.
Before the end of the first half, Blessing Demehin was red-carded for receiving a second yellow card, as Barbara Banda, Rachael Kundananji and Grace Chanda were threats to the Nigerian defense.
With this victory, the Super Eagles need an outright win with a good Gola margin against the Female Pharaoh’s of Egypt in their last Group C match to have any hope of qualifying for the knockout phase.
The Egyptians are already out of the tournament having lost their first match 6-0 to Zambia and 3-1 to Malawi, as they will only be playing for pride against the 10 time Women’s African Cup of Nations, WAFCON, Champion.
Nigeria is in on Three Points and sit Third on the Table with Malawi having Six Points from Two games with a superior goal difference of +3 having scored Six Goals and conceded Three Goals.
For the Copper Ladies of Zambia, they are Second on the Table with Three Points with +5 Goal difference, having scored Five goals amd conceded One, while the Super Falcons have Three Points, 0 goal difference, having scored three goals and conceded three goals.
An outright win for the Super Falcons, hoping that Malawi defeats Zambia or the encounter ends in a draw, will see the Nigerian Ladies in the Quarter Finals as runners-up in the Group.
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