WAFCON
WAFCON 2024: Nigeria, Zambia Set for High-Stakes Quarter-Final Showdown in Casablanca
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
Two of the continent’s in-form teams, Nigeria and Zambia, will lock horns in a tantalising quarter-final clash at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. The match, scheduled for this Friday at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca (18:00 local / 17:00 GMT), brings together two pre-tournament favourites with contrasting styles and histories—but matching ambitions.
This fixture marks their fourth meeting at WAFCON, but the first in a direct knockout encounter.
While Nigeria boasts a superior head-to-head record—having dominated the first two group-stage encounters in 2014 and 2018 with emphatic 6–0 and 4–0 wins respectively—Zambia drew first blood in a meaningful way by claiming a 1–0 victory in the 2022 third-place playoff.
That win, though aided by a freak own goal involving Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, marked a psychological breakthrough for the Copper Queens.
For the Super Falcons, the fixture presents both a test of resolve and a chance to reassert dominance.
Nigeria topped Group A with two wins and a draw, keeping clean sheets in all three matches for the first time since 1998.
Their form reflects a defensive steel rarely seen in past editions, with a newfound tactical maturity complementing their traditional attacking flair. However, their four goals from 15 shots on target (an 8.51% conversion rate) point to a need for sharper finishing in front of goal.
Zambia, on the other hand, arrive as the tournament’s early entertainers. Unbeaten in the group stage with two wins and a draw, they’ve shown an aggressive, front-loaded approach—scoring early in each of their matches and converting six goals from 16 shots on target, a significantly higher 19.35% efficiency.
With Racheal Kundananji scoring in every group game and captain Barbra Banda orchestrating play with creativity and purpose, the Copper Queens are a side brimming with confidence.
Still, Zambia’s WAFCON history against Nigeria remains lopsided. No Zambian player has ever officially scored against the Super Falcons in open play. Even their 2022 victory came without a direct strike finding the net.
In contrast, Nigeria’s 10 goals across previous meetings have come from nine different players, underlining the depth and unpredictability of their attacking threats.
Interestingly, Zambia’s trajectory against West African (WAFU) nations has shifted. After failing to win any of their first three encounters (two losses to Nigeria and a draw with Côte d’Ivoire), they have since gone unbeaten in four such games, including wins over Togo, Senegal (twice), and that memorable 2022 win over Nigeria.
Friday’s quarter-final is thus more than a fight for a semi-final spot—it is a clash of eras and ideologies. Nigeria’s experience, tournament pedigree, and defensive evolution will go head-to-head with Zambia’s rising ambition, efficiency, and attacking flair.
As the spotlight shifts to Casablanca, one thing is certain: history may favour Nigeria, but Zambia will not be bound by it. A fierce contest awaits.
Past WAFCON Meetings:
- *14 October 2014, Group A: Zambia 0–6 Nigeria (Okobi 2′, Ohale 6′, Oparanozie 25′ pen, 81′, Oshoala 64′, Nkwocha 84′) – Windhoek, Namibia
- *21 November 2018, Group B: Nigeria 4–0 Zambia (Oparanozie 41′, Ordega 69′, Ajibade 75′, Okoronkwo 90+4′) – Cape Coast, Ghana
- *22 July 2022, Third-place match: Nigeria 0–1 Zambia (Nnadozie 29′ own goal) – Casablanca, Morocco
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By Kunle Solaja.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has been postponed, with Africa’s football governing body announcing new dates for the tournament in Morocco.
The Confederation of African Football confirmed that the 2026 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will now take place from 25 July to 16 August 2026, instead of the earlier scheduled dates of 17 March to 3 April 2026.
Morocco was awarded the hosting rights for the continental showpiece in October 2024, with preparations already underway for what is expected to be one of the biggest editions of the competition. It doubles as the qualification tournament for the Women’s World Cup, as the top four finishers will feature in the global event.
CAF said the decision to move the tournament followed consultations with FIFA and other key stakeholders.
In a statement, CAF explained that the adjustment was made “to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in the light of certain unforeseen circumstances.”
Although the organisation did not elaborate on the nature of those circumstances, the rescheduling shifts the tournament to the traditional mid-year international football window, which is often more favourable for player availability and logistics.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is the continent’s flagship women’s football competition and serves as a crucial platform for the development and visibility of the women’s game in Africa.
Morocco, which successfully hosted the 2022 edition of the tournament, is expected to leverage its modern stadium infrastructure and growing reputation as a major football events destination to deliver another high-profile competition.
CAF expressed confidence that the revised schedule will allow all stakeholders to adequately prepare for the tournament.
“Preparations for the WAFCON 2026 are underway, and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful,” the governing body stated.
The tournament will bring together Africa’s top women’s national teams competing for continental supremacy, with the rescheduling expected to give organisers additional time to ensure optimal preparations for the event.
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The Confederation of African Football has announced that it will issue an official communication within the next 48 hours regarding the situation surrounding the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026.
In a brief message posted on social media, CAF indicated that the matter has been under extensive discussion in recent weeks and is currently receiving urgent attention at the highest levels of the organisation.
“CAF will communicate within the next 48 hours on the situation regarding the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON26. There have been several discussions over the past weeks. The matter is receiving urgent and high-level attention,” the confederation stated.
Although CAF did not provide specific details about the issue under review, the statement suggests that senior officials within the continental governing body are working toward a resolution.
The development has sparked anticipation across the African football community, particularly among national teams preparing for the women’s continental championship.
The Confederation of African Football is expected to clarify the circumstances and outline the next steps for the tournament when it releases its official update within the stipulated timeframe.
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Reigning African champions Nigeria produced a commanding response, defeating Cameroon 3–1 on Tuesday in the second of their pre-WAFCON international friendlies in Yaounde.
Three days after suffering a narrow 1–0 loss at the Military Stadium, the Super Falcons returned to the same venue. They delivered a far more assured performance, underlining their pedigree as perennial continental powerhouses.
Head Coach Justin Madugu rang the changes, making seven alterations to the starting line-up that featured in Saturday’s defeat. However, it was Cameroon who struck first again, netting in the seventh minute to momentarily raise concerns of a repeat setback.
Nigeria responded with composure and growing authority.
Forward Chinwendu Ihezuo restored parity in the 32nd minute, rising above her marker to power home a header from a well-delivered cross by Rinsola Babajide. The equaliser settled the Falcons, who began to dictate tempo and press with greater coordination.
Just before the break, the comeback was completed. After a scramble inside the Cameroonian box, Babajide reacted quickest to fire home in the 43rd minute, turning provider into scorer to give Nigeria a 2–1 lead at halftime.
Madugu’s reshaped midfield proved decisive, pressing higher up the pitch, shutting down central channels and forcing the Lionesses into speculative long balls.
The Falcons extended their advantage in the 64th minute. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, influential down the right flank, delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area. Michelle Alozie attacked the ball with conviction, launching into a flying header that made it 3–1 and effectively sealed the contest.
Both sides treated the two-match series as crucial preparation for the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.
For Nigeria, the emphatic victory not only avenged Saturday’s defeat but also reaffirmed their status as Africa’s benchmark in women’s football heading into the continental showpiece.
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