Nigeria’s Super Falcons reignited their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign with a determined 1-0 victory over Zambia, producing a resilient performance that underlined the team’s fighting spirit.

The breakthrough came early in the contest when Asisat Oshoala found the back of the net, giving Nigeria a lead they would fiercely protect for the remainder of the match.

The encounter took a dramatic turn just before halftime when Blessing Demehin was shown a red card, reducing the Super Falcons to 10 players and forcing the nine-time African champions to rethink their approach.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Nigeria responded with discipline and determination, defending resolutely against sustained Zambian pressure. The backline remained organised throughout the second half, frustrating Zambia’s attacking efforts and protecting the slender advantage.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie also played a crucial role in securing the victory, producing a series of important saves to deny Zambia an equaliser and preserve Nigeria’s lead until the final whistle.

The result provides a significant boost to the Super Falcons’ campaign, keeping them firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stage as the competition progresses.

Beyond the three points, the performance highlighted the team’s resilience, with the players showing composure and tactical discipline under difficult circumstances to secure one of their most hard-earned victories of the tournament.