By Abubakar Yunusa Ojima-Ojo
Nigeria’s Super Falcons proved too much for their opponents, Zambia, in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 quarter-final at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, beating the Southern Africans 5-0 on Friday.
Goals from Osinachi Ohale, Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Oluwatosin Demehin, and Folashade Ijamilusi were enough to give the Falcons victory and book their semi-final spot in the tournament.
Nigeria were hoping to bury the ghosts of the past when they lost to Zambia 0-1 the last time both sides met in the 3rd place match in WAFCON 2022.
A spark was what the Super Falcons needed, and it came in as early as the second minute, when a cross found Osinachi, who nodded home to give the nine-time WAFCON in green a deserved lead.
The Zambian side became much active as the match went on, with the 2024 African Women’s Footballer of the Year, Barbara Banda, pulling the strings in attack for her side.
However, Nigeria doubled their lead in the 26th minute this time courtesy of Okoronkwo, who, after bringing the ball down perfectly, hit a half-volley to beat the Zambian shot stopper, Ngambo Musole.
