Nigeria revived their hopes of reaching the 2027 Girls’s World Cup with a nervy 1-0 win over Zambia on the Girls’s Africa Cup of Nations, regardless of having a participant despatched off late within the first half.
This version of the continental event in Morocco doubles up as a qualifier for subsequent 12 months’s international showpiece, with all 4 Wafcon semi-finalists reserving a ticket to Brazil and the shedding quarter-finalists having an opportunity to enter inter-confederation play-offs.
Nigeria headed into Saturday’s Group C conflict with the Copper Queens getting ready to an early exit after falling to a shock 3-2 defeat in opposition to debutants Malawi of their opener on Tuesday.
The West Africans made a great begin when ahead Asisat Oshoala put them forward within the eighth minute when the ball bobbled in off her proper thigh after her preliminary try was saved by Zambia goalkeeper Hazel Nali.
However the 10-time Wafcon winners and defending champions had Oluwatosin Demehin despatched off 5 minutes earlier than the break on the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat following a video assistant referee overview.
The centre-back had hauled down Zambia striker Barbra Banda, and referee Josphine Wanjiku upgraded her preliminary yellow card after deciding Demehin was the final defender – regardless that replays confirmed Nigeria team-mate Rofiat Imuran seemed to be in a overlaying place.
Zambia didn’t made their numerical benefit pay, though Racheal Kundananji threatened when her long-range free-kick was tipped behind by Nigeria keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Banda, as soon as Africa’s costliest feminine participant, was subdued after the break and Nigeria survived a late scare when Grace Chanda volleyed excessive over the bar deep in stoppage time.
The Tremendous Falcons have been ever-presents on the Girls’s World Cup, reaching the quarter-finals in 1999 and progressing to the final 16 on the previous two editions, and are as soon as once more indebted to six-time African participant of the 12 months Oshoala.
Nigeria transfer stage with Zambia on three factors in Group C with each side trailing shock package deal Malawi, who’ve most factors after beating Egypt 3-1 earlier on Saturday.
The Tremendous Falcons face Egypt and Zambia tackle Malawi within the ultimate spherical of group matches on Wednesday.
Elsewhere at Wafcon 2026, hosts Morocco have already booked their place within the final eight with a sport to spare however South Africa are in peril of lacking the Girls’s World Cup after selecting up only one level from their opening two matches in Group B.
The 2022 Wafcon champions, who’ve featured previously two editions of the World Cup, should beat Burkina Faso and hope Ivory Coast defeat Tanzania within the ultimate group matches on Tuesday to outlive.
