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.

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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