By KUNLE SOLAJA.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will face their sternest test yet at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) when they take on Zambia in Friday’s quarter-final — and the biggest threat is clear: the explosive duo of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji.

Call them the “Terrible Twins,”  if you like, the Zambian pair have emerged as the most feared attacking force in the tournament, scoring all six of the Copper Queens’ goals in the group stage.

Their chemistry, precision, and ruthless finishing present a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s hopes of extending their proud record of reaching the semi-finals in every WAFCON they’ve participated in.

Barbra Banda is already a player of historical significance. Her goal against Costa Rica at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup was the 1,000th scored in the history of the competition.

At this WAFCON, she wasted no time announcing her presence, scoring just 58 seconds into Zambia’s opening game against Morocco — the fastest goal of the tournament and the earliest ever in a WAFCON opener.

Kundananji has been just as lethal, if not more consistent. She has found the net in every group-stage match, making her the only player in the tournament to do so.

 Her speed, movement, and ability to pounce on half-chances have made her a nightmare for defenders — and a major headache for Nigeria’s tactical setup.

Although Nigeria boasts the tournament’s most disciplined defence — going through the group stage without conceding a goal — the looming battle against Banda and Kundananji will be a different proposition entirely.

For all their solidity, the Super Falcons have yet to face an attacking pair this dynamic, this efficient, and this confident.

Head coach Justin Madugu will need to craft a masterful defensive plan, not only to contain the duo but to cut off their supply lines. Zambia’s direct, high-tempo style thrives on early breakthroughs — all their goals have come from quick transitions and sharp finishes, often inside the first 15 minutes.

This clash in Casablanca, though officially listed as Quarter-Final 2, feels like the tournament’s first true final. Both teams are unbeaten. Both are title contenders. But for Nigeria, success may rest on their ability to silence the ‘Terrible Twins.’

The Super Falcons are chasing a 13th WAFCON semi-final appearance. But first, they must pass the toughest exam of the tournament — and it comes in the form of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji.

Nigeria’s coach, Justine Madugu, will have to devise a means of cutting ball supplies to these ‘Terrible Twins’ if the Super Falcons are to progress to the semi-finals.

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By KUNLE SOLAJA.

As Nigeria’s Super Falcons prepare for this Friday’s quarter-final showdown at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), they do so with history—and an unshakable reputation—firmly on their side.

Progressing to the knockout stage for a record-extending 13th time, the Falcons are aiming to continue their unbroken streak of reaching the semi-finals in every edition they’ve contested.

That consistency is no coincidence. The most successful team in WAFCON history, Nigeria, have dominated the competition with nine titles and a ruthless efficiency in the latter stages.

 They have never lost a quarter-final and are now set to play their 14th direct knockout match in the tournament’s history.

 Their record in these pressure-cooker fixtures stands at 10 wins and three losses (including shootouts), with all defeats coming in semi-final matches—in 2008, 2012, and most recently, in 2022.

But what stands out in this campaign is not just Nigeria’s historical pedigree, but a noticeable shift in their tactical DNA—an emphasis on defensive solidity.

 For the first time since 1998, the Super Falcons navigated the group phase without conceding a single goal. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been imperious between the sticks, anchoring a backline that has rediscovered its resilience.

Their goalless draw with Algeria in the final group match may have ended their run of group-stage wins, but it also extended their unbeaten record, underlining a growing maturity in game management.

 Notably, Nigeria scored just four goals in the group phase—their lowest tally since 2008—suggesting a shift from their traditional high-scoring flair to a more measured and controlled approach.

This is only the second time that Nigeria are playing a formal quarter-final fixture in the tournament’s current format.

Their first came in 2022, a narrow 1–0 win over Cameroon, secured by Rasheedat Ajibade’s decisive strike. With Ajibade likely to feature prominently again, Nigeria will be banking on their blend of experience, structure, and attacking bursts to carry them through.

In penalty shootouts, the Super Falcons boast a solid record—three wins and one loss—adding another layer of psychological assurance should their quarter-final encounter stretch beyond regulation time.

As the knockout rounds begin, Nigeria are not just chasing another title—they are showing signs of evolution.

 From a team once defined primarily by its attacking prowess, the Super Falcons are developing into a side that can also grind out results with discipline and defensive cohesion.

If history is any guide, a 13th semi-final beckons. If form is the metric, the Falcons may be more formidable than ever.

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By KUNLE SOLAJA.

Zambia’s Copper Queens have stormed into the knockout stage of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the second successive time, continuing a remarkable rise on the continental stage.

The Southern African side, semi-finalists in 2022, have maintained an unbeaten run in the group phase stretching back to the last tournament, recording five wins and two draws across seven matches.

In this year’s edition, they topped their group with commanding performances, scoring in every game and registering their first clean sheet in the 3–0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Spearheading the Zambian charge is Racheal Kundananji, who has etched her name into the history books as the first Zambian to score in three consecutive WAFCON matches.

With six goals now across two tournaments, she stands among the competition’s most prolific scorers.

 Her sharp eye for goal has been matched by her clinical timing—Zambia have scored inside the opening 15 minutes in all three of their matches, each time converting their very first shot on target.

Alongside Kundananji, team captain Barbra Banda has been instrumental, creating seven chances—the highest by any Zambian player at the tournament—while directly contributing to three of the team’s six goals (two goals and one assist).

 Together, Banda and Kundananji have been involved in every Zambian goal thus far.

Zambia’s only direct knockout win in WAFCON history came in the 2022 quarter-finals, where they edged past Senegal on penalties after a 1–1 draw.

They narrowly missed a place in the final that year, falling 1–0 to South Africa in the semi-final via a heartbreaking stoppage-time penalty.

While they remain without a knockout victory in regulation time, the Copper Queens are brimming with confidence. A win in their upcoming quarter-final clash would see them reach back-to-back semi-finals—another milestone in their inspiring football journey.

With history, form, and firepower on their side, Zambia are no longer just contenders—they are genuine threats for the WAFCON title. 

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