Oshoala revives Nigeria's Wafcon and World Cup bid

RABAT, MOROCCO – The Zambian national women's football team, the Copper Queens, faced a significant setback in their 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign, falling 1-0 to West African giants Nigeria. The decisive goal came from Nigerian star Asisat Oshoala, who found the back of the net in the early stages of the match, leaving the Copper Queens with a challenging path forward in their quest for continental glory and a spot at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. This result comes as a particular blow following Zambia's dominant 6-0 victory over Egypt in their opening Group C fixture, which had initially raised hopes for a strong tournament showing. The encounter, held in Rabat, Morocco, was a tense affair, with Nigeria having to play a significant portion of the game with ten players after a red card incident. Despite this numerical advantage, the Copper Queens were unable to break down a resilient Nigerian defense. Zambia's captain, Barbra Banda, who was instrumental in their opening win with four goals against Egypt, found opportunities limited by the Super Falcons' disciplined play. The inability to convert chances against a shorthanded opponent highlights areas for urgent review by Coach Nora Häuptle and her technical team as they prepare for their next crucial fixture. For Zambia, every match at WAFCON 2026 carries immense weight, as the tournament also serves as the primary qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. The top four semi-finalists from WAFCON will automatically secure berths to the World Cup in Brazil, while two additional teams will have a chance through a play-off tournament. Having made their debut at the 2023 World Cup, the Copper Queens are keen to establish themselves as regular contenders on the global stage. This loss, however, places increased pressure on their remaining group stage match, where a strong performance will be essential to advance to the knockout rounds and keep their World Cup dreams alive. Th