Nine-time champions Nigeria will look to continue their dominant start at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) when they face Botswana in their second Group B fixture on Thursday, aiming to secure back-to-back wins for the first time in a decade.

The Super Falcons began their campaign in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 3-0 victory over Tunisia — their first opening match win since 2016, after suffering defeats in their tournament openers in both 2018 and 2022. The result also extended Nigeria’s impressive group-stage form, having now won three consecutive WAFCON group games, scoring nine goals without conceding.

A win against Botswana would mark Nigeria’s best group-stage start since 2014, when they opened the tournament with wins over Côte d’Ivoire (4-2) and Zambia (6-0). More significantly, another clean sheet would make this the first time since 1998 that Nigeria go unbreached in their first two matches, replicating that year’s commanding 8-0 and 6-0 victories over Morocco and DR Congo respectively.

Historically, Nigeria have fared well in their second group matches, with a record of eight wins, three draws and just one loss in 12 appearances. Their only defeat came in 2002, a 0-1 upset against Ghana. The Falcons have also failed to find the net in a second group match on only two occasions — the 2002 loss to Ghana and a goalless draw with Tunisia in 2008.

Victory on Thursday would also mark Nigeria’s 30th group-stage win in WAFCON history, extending their remarkable record of 29 wins, five draws, and just three defeats in 38 matches.

Key to Nigeria’s strong start has been star forward Asisat Oshoala, who opened the scoring against Tunisia to register her 14th career goal at the tournament. The Barcelona striker has now scored in four different WAFCON editions — 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2024.

Against Tunisia, Nigeria fired 24 goal attempts and nine shots on target while not facing a single shot on goal themselves. The team also demonstrated impressive ball control, completing 386 of 465 passes, with defender Ashleigh Plumptre recording a game-high 100 touches.

With momentum on their side, Nigeria will be favourites to take another big step toward the knockout stage and reinforce their status as tournament favourites when they take on Botswana in Casablanca.

 Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Host nation Morocco claimed a pulsating 4-2 win over DR Congo in a dramatic Group A clash at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024 on Wednesday evening.

Spurred on by a home crowd and needing a win after their opening draw with Zambia, the Atlas Lionesses delivered a spirited performance, led by star forward Ghizlane Chebbak, who was involved in three of Morocco’s four goals.

It was DR Congo who struck first, stunning the hosts with an early opener in the 6th minute. Merveille Kanjinga latched onto a precise through ball from Naomie Kabakaba and calmly slotted past Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi.

Morocco responded with determination, and Chebbak soon took centre stage. The captain equalised in the 25th minute with a composed finish and put the hosts ahead just before halftime with a close-range effort, making it 2-1 at the break.

The second half provided more fireworks. DR Congo drew level in the 70th minute when substitute Flavine Mawete blasted home a fine goal following a neat assist from Marlène Kasaj.

But the home side quickly regained control. In the 75th minute, Chebbak turned provider, setting up Imène El Ghazouani, whose cross found Chebbak once again to restore Morocco’s lead at 3-2.

Victory was sealed in the 83rd minute when Anissa Lahmari won a penalty, confidently dispatched by Yasmin M’Rabet into the bottom corner.

Despite a late flurry of attacks from DR Congo, including dangerous efforts from Kabakaba, Mawete, and Esther Dikisha, the Moroccan defence stood firm.

The win puts Morocco in a strong position in Group A as they chase a historic run on home soil, while DR Congo, though spirited in attack, will need to regroup ahead of their next outing.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Zambia demonstrated their quest to fight for the title at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a pulsating 3-2 victory over Senegal in Group A on Wednesday at Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia.

In a contest marked by end-to-end drama, powerful finishing, and moments of individual brilliance, the Copper Queens held their nerve to claim all three points after twice being threatened by a resilient Senegalese side.

After a frustrating 2-2 draw in their opening match against hosts Morocco, Zambia arrived desperate for a win—and they made it count.

Yet it was Senegal who struck first, catching Zambia off-guard inside five minutes.

Nguenar Ndiaye, one of the stars of the Lionesses’ 4-0 win over DR Congo, latched onto a through ball from Méta Kandé and coolly finished past goalkeeper Ng’ambo Musole to stun the title contenders.

Zambia, however, responded swiftly. Captain Barbra Banda brought the Copper Queens level in the 12th minute, rifling into the top corner after a slick assist from Racheal Kundananji.

The tempo remained relentless throughout the first half, but it wasn’t until six minutes into the second period that Zambia edged ahead. Kundananji turned scorer this time, showing poise in the box to convert and hand her side a 2-1 lead.

Banda, who had terrorised the Senegalese defence all game, extended Zambia’s lead in the 73rd minute with her second of the night, reacting fastest to a corner and firing home from close range.

Senegal were handed a lifeline seven minutes later when Ndiaye was brought down in the area and dusted herself off to convert the penalty, making it 3-2 and setting up a frenetic finale.

Despite relentless pressure from the West Africans in added time—including a flurry of corners and blocked attempts—Zambia held firm, with Musole producing key saves to preserve the result.

The win lifts Zambia to four points in Group A, while Senegal, who had been eyeing early qualification, must now regroup ahead of their final group match. 

For the Copper Queens, this was a statement of intent—a reminder that the side filled with top players are keen on fighting for the title.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H