WAFCON 2024: Super Falcons Put Five Past Zambia in Unprecedented Quarter-Final Demolition

The Super Falcons of Nigeria got a whopping 5-0 victory against Zambia in the Quarter-Final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca, Morocco.

The encounter which many tagged as final worthy, was expected to be a tightly contested affair, with Zambia boasting of a lethal duo in Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji. Still, to the surprise of most, it turned out to be a very one-sided affair.

Nigeria had struggled with converting their chances, scoring only four goals throughout the group stage, with three of the goals netted in the opening game against Tunisia. Jarringly, they turned the tide against the Nora Häuptle-led side – whose six goals have been evenly split between Banda and Kundananji.

How it happened:

100 seconds into the encounter, Nigeria made their intentions clear as crystal, with defender Osinachi Ohale, who netted when the Super Falcons annihilated the Zambians 6-0 in a group stage match in Namibia, 2014, jumping into the air to meet a delectable free-kick from Esther Okoronkwo for the first goal.

Nigeria got the second goal in the 33rd minute, when Jennifer Echegini forcefully collected the ball in the middle of the park, finding Ashleigh Plumptre, who found her captain. Rasheedat Ajibade launched the ball into the box, and Okoronkwo who assisted the opening goal, controlled the ball calmly with her chest and swiftly dispatched it into the far corner, deservedly getting her name on the scoresheet.

But that was far from all, as the halftime mark approached, Chinwendu Ihezuo headed a brilliant ball sent in from the top for the third. Zambia’s attack was effectively neutralised by the Nigerian defence and they had no shot on target for the entire first half.

In the second half, Nigeria picked up where they left off, limiting the normally deadly duo of Banda and Kundananji as well as Grace Chanda, pouring in more goals. With the Nigerian fans buzzing at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, the momentum was not getting lost anytime soon. Defender Tosin Demehin scored with a header from a dead ball on the right in the 68th minute to further compound Zambia’s woes.

To crown what was a five-star performance from the Super Falcons, former Robo Queens player Folashade Ijamilusi, timed her run well, connected a pass from Ajibade to slot in Nigeria’s fifth goal.

This was the fourth meeting between the two African nations, a meeting which the Super Falcons have dominated, winning 6–0 in 2014 and 4–0 in 2018 and 5-0 today, with the only loss coming in the 2022 third-place playoff, 1-0.

What it means:

The 5-0 victory means that the Madugu-led side has gone four games without conceding a goal, portraying the prowess of Nigeria’s defence. It also means that the nine-time WAFCON champions have never lost a quarter-final match in WAFCON history with 11 wins.

Nigeria maintain their push for a record-extending 10th WAFCON title. Zambia, who had hoped to build on their 2022 bronze finish, now exit the tournament having been outclassed.

Who is next?

In the semi-finals slated for Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 17:00hrs, Nigeria will take on the winner of Saturday’s quarter-final game between defending champions South Africa and Senegal.