Nigeria 4-0 Zambia: Okoronkwo orcestrates Copper Queens’ meltdown as Super Falcons stroll to WAFCON 24′ semis

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have sealed their place in the semifinal of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, thanks to a 4-0 thrashing of Zambia at the Stade Larbi Zaouli, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria resumed WAFCON duties with a game against Zambia in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Both teams finished the group stages with seven points. Albeit, unlike Nigeria who finished first in their group, Zambia finished second, behind Morocco due to an inferior goals difference.

The Copper Queens’ attack looked like fire in their group stage games, with Barbra Banda and Rachel Kundananji firing on all cylinders.

Hence, the game against Nigeria was expected to be a tough one. However, Zambia were not prepared for what hit them.

Coach Justin Madugu named a strong lineup for the game, with Folashade Ijamilusi, Esther Okoronkwo, and Chinwendu Ihezuo leading the attack.

Zambia opened up to press the Super Falcons high, but it was apparent that the instruction from Madugu was to play long balls into their final third to neutralize the press.

It took just two minutes for Nigeria to score, and it was through a set-piece. The Super Falcons won a freekick close to the center of the pitch, which Okoronkwo took charge of.

She sent a long ball into Zambia’s area, which Osinachi Ohale got to before any Zambian player and headed the ball home from close range.

After scoring the early goal, the game balanced out, with Zambia pushing for an equalizer. But they failed to make Chiamaka Nnadozie in Nigeria’s goal work.

The Super Falcons did well to manage the game. And in the 33rd minute, they struck again, courtesy of Okoronkwo.

Nigeria went on a quick counter, with Ajibade using her speed to get past her Zambian markers. She then sent in a cross into, which Okoronkwo cushioned with her chest.

It looked like a poor control at first, as the Zambian center halves almost got to it and cleared the ball. However, the Changchun Dazhong star quickly regained her composure and struck the ball cleanly to send it to the bottom left corner of the post and make it 2-0.

Then, just before the break, Nigeria struck again. This time, Nnadozie sent a long searching ball from the front of her area. Ihezuo, who was in the final third was being marked by two Zambian defenders. But she capitalized on their mistake, used her body to bully them off the ball, and placed the ball neatly into the net, to give the Super Falcons a healthy three-goal lead.

After going behind by three goals in the first half, Zambia were more conservative in the second period. They saw a lot of the ball, but they could not do anything meaningful, as Nigeria’s backline was water-tight.

Unfortunately for the Copper Queens, Nigeria had their number and made them look ordinary. Madugu’s ladies got their fourth in the 68th minute, courtesy of Tosin Demehin, and it was through another set-piece.

Ijamilusi joined the party just before full time, as she scored the fifth for the Super Falcons off an assist from Rasheedat Ajibade.

It eventually ended 5-0 after 90 minutes, with the Super Falcons sealing their place in the semifinal of the WAFCON.

Who will the Super Falcons face in the 2024 WAFCON semis?

Following their 5-0 victory over Zambia, the Super Falcons will now await the winner of the other quarterfinal between South Africa and Senegal on Saturday to know their opponents for the semifinals.