Nigeria eased into the semifinals of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco with a thumping 5-0 victory over one of the pre-tournament favourites Zambia in their last-8 clash in Casablanca on Friday.
Goals from Osinachi Ohale, Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Oluwatosin Demehin and Folashade Ijamilusi capped a commanding performance from the Super Falcons, who maintain their record of reaching the semifinals, at least, of every WAFCON finals played.
NEVER IN DOUBT.
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 18, 2025
NIGERIA ARE IN THE #WAFCON2024 SEMI-FINALS ❤️#MissionX #SoarSuperFalcons pic.twitter.com/fIzNrrQV76
It was some revenge for the record nine-time winners, who were beaten 1-0 by Zambia in the bronze medal match three years ago having lost their semifinal to South Africa.
They will now meet the winner of the fourth quarterfinal on Saturday between South Africa and Senegal in the last-4 at the same Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Tuesday. They will vie for a place in the final which is to be staged in Rabat on July 26
Nigeria were virtually out of sight by halftime as they held a 3-0 lead following a dominant opening period.
It took them just 90 second to hit the front as Ohale steered her header from Okoronkwo’s cross into the corner of the net.
Nigeria get the early advantage over the Copper Queens 😤🇳🇬
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 18, 2025
📺 Stream #WAFCON2024 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/8ZADR4rCEg
Okoronkwo went from provider to scorer as she added the second on 33 minutes, collecting a ball on the edge of the six-yard box and was given far too much time to turn and shoot low past Ngambo Musole in the Zambian goal.
2' - Ohale
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 18, 2025
33' - Okoronkwo
The Super Falcons are flying in Casablanca ✈️🇳🇬
📺 Stream #WAFCON2024 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/AJijyG6P2U
Things got worse for the Copper Queens on the brink of halftime as they failed to deal with a long ball from Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Ihezuo was able to run onto the loose ball and provide a calm finish beyond a helpless Musole.
That settled the game as a contest, but there were still two more goals for the Nigerians as a free-kick was floated into the box and Demehin rose highest to head home from inside the six-yard box.
The Super Falcons are soaring high in Casablanca 🤩🇳🇬
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 18, 2025
📺 Stream #WAFCON2024 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/GglEENgpVP
Ijamilusi netted her first WAFCON goal when she tapped home unopposed at the back post to put the cherry on time of a superb team performance.
Zambia, who had such high hopes coming into the tournament, failed to fire when it mattered most and did not manage a single shot on target through the 90 minutes.
Nigeria have still yet to conceded a goal in Morocco, but had only scored four goals in their three games coming into this one.
Coach Justin Justin Madugu will hope his side is now firing on all cylinders at both ends of the pitch heading into the business end of the competition.
