Nigeria Ride Out Red Card to Edge Zambia 1-0, Keep WAFCON Defence Alive
Nigeria survived a second-half red card and a spell of sustained Zambian pressure to beat the Copper Queens 1-0 in their second Group C match at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, Morocco, keeping their title defence on course.
Six-time CAF Women's Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala settled it inside eight minutes. Nigeria then had to defend the lead with 10 players from the 40th minute, after defender Oluwatosin Demehin picked up a second yellow card.
Head coach Justin Madugu credited the response. "Going down to 10 players against a team as fast and dangerous as Zambia is never easy, but we showed the true spirit of Nigeria today. The players refused to give up, stayed disciplined, and executed the tactical adjustments we made at halftime," he said, according to Pan Africa Football.
Madugu said the changes made after Nigeria's opening group match against Malawi were built around restoring balance. "We brought back players to their natural positions and focused on remaining tight in transition. Even after the red card, the communication between the backline and midfield was top class," he added.
The Super Falcons close the group stage against Egypt at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday, with a knockout-stage spot still to be settled.
