Nigeria’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title defence was hanging by a thread. One defeat had already shaken the continent. Another could have pushed the Super Falcons to the brink of an unimaginable group-stage exit.
Standing in their way were Zambia’s dangerous Copper Queens, armed with the lethal attacking duo of Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji.
Then, just before halftime, Nigeria’s task became even more daunting after Oluwatosin Demehin was shown a red card, forcing the defending champions to play with 10 women for more than half of the contest.
Yet somehow, the Super Falcons refused to surrender.
Asisat Oshoala’s early strike proved enough to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory, breathing life back into Nigeria’s campaign.
Now, captain Rasheedat Ajibade has revealed the mentality that inspired the remarkable triumph, insisting the players stepped onto the pitch knowing there was only one acceptable outcome.
‘We Either Die on That Pitch’ – Rasheedat Ajibade
The Super Falcons entered the clash under immense pressure following their shock 3-2 opening defeat to tournament debutants Malawi.
For Ajibade, the victory over Zambia was not about revenge, it was about survival. The skipper admitted every player understood what was at stake before kickoff.
“I’m good. The Lord is my strength. I’m good.”
“Well, not from the anger of Malawi game. We knew that we just have to win. It’s either we die on that pitch, you know.”
“So we’re playing with every energy, the strength, the spirit within us to win this game.”
“So there’s no time to relax.”
Ajibade revealed the urgency that defined Nigeria’s display throughout the evening as the defending champions fought for every ball, every tackle and every second on the clock.
Faith Over Fear After the Red Card
Nigeria’s hopes appeared to suffer a devastating blow when defender Oluwatosin Demehin was dismissed before halftime after bringing down Zambia captain, Barbra Banda.
Reduced to 10 players against one of Africa’s strongest attacking teams, many feared the Super Falcons would struggle to hold on.
Ajibade, however, says she never doubted the outcome.
Instead, she leaned on her faith.
“Honestly, I wasn’t worried.”
“I was going onto the pitch with the word of God because I knew when God said He’s going to help us, so I held on to God’s word.”
“When that red card came in, you know sometimes God doesn’t do things in a very easy way.”
“He do it in a way that everyone would know that He’s the one in charge and He takes all the glory in the hand.”
Rather than allowing panic to spread through the team, the captain says the players remained convinced they could still secure the victory.
‘No Cause for Alarm… We Did It’
Zambia piled up pressure in the second half but Nigeria’s defence stood firm, with goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie producing another assured display while the backline battled tirelessly to preserve Oshoala’s eighth-minute goal.
Ajibade says there was never a moment when belief disappeared inside the Nigerian camp but esilience that has defined the Super Falcons throughout their rich history.
“There was no cause for alarm. I was like, yeah, no problem. We’re going to do it.”
“And we will do it. And we did it.”
A Lifeline in Morocco
The victory handed Nigeria their first win and first clean sheet of the 2026 WAFCON after the disappointing defeat to Malawi.
More importantly, it revived the 10-time African champions’ hopes of reaching the knockout stage and keeping alive their dream of retaining the continental title.
The result also demonstrated the fighting spirit that has made the Super Falcons the most successful team in African women’s football.
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Playing with 10 players for the majority of the contest, they frustrated Zambia’s dangerous attack, protected their slender advantage and reminded the rest of the continent why champions should never be written off.
With a decisive final group match against Egypt still to come, Nigeria have hauled themselves back into contention.
The Super Falcons will eventually seek to go on to lift a record-extending 11th WAFCON title if they get a win or nothing in their last group game.
