Nigeria kept their bid for the 2027 Women’s World Cup alive with a tense 1-0 win over Zambia at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, despite going down to 10 players late in the first half.
Staged in Morocco, this Wafcon also doubles as World Cup qualifying: all four semi-finalists secure spots in Brazil 2027, while the defeated quarter-finalists get a lifeline through inter-confederation play-offs.
The Super Falcons entered Saturday’s Group C meeting with the Copper Queens on the verge of an early exit after a shock 3-2 loss to debutants Malawi in Tuesday’s opener.
Nigeria struck early when forward Asisat Oshoala put them in front in the eighth minute, the ball ricocheting in off her right thigh after Zambia goalkeeper Hazel Nali had parried her initial effort.
However, the 10-time champions and title holders saw Oluwatosin Demehin dismissed five minutes before the interval at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat following a VAR check.
The centre-back was adjudged to have pulled back Zambia striker Barbra Banda, and referee Josphine Wanjiku upgraded a yellow to red for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity — even though replays suggested Nigeria’s Rofiat Imuran might have been covering.
Zambia could not capitalise on the extra player, with Racheal Kundananji coming closest when her long-range free-kick was tipped wide by Nigeria keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Banda, once Africa’s costliest female footballer, was kept quiet after the break, and Nigeria survived a late scare when Grace Chanda volleyed over deep into stoppage time.
Ever-present at every Women’s World Cup, the Super Falcons — quarter-finalists in 1999 and last-16 finishers at the past two editions — again leaned on six-time African player of the year Oshoala for a crucial result.
Nigeria are now level with Zambia on three points in Group C, both trailing surprise leaders Malawi, who made it two wins from two after a 3-1 victory over Egypt earlier on Saturday.
Wednesday’s final group games pit Nigeria against Egypt, while Zambia face Malawi.
Elsewhere at Wafcon 2026, hosts Morocco have already sealed a quarter-final berth with a match to spare, but South Africa risk missing the Women’s World Cup after collecting just one point from their first two Group B fixtures.
The 2022 Wafcon winners, who played at the last two World Cups, must beat Burkina Faso and hope Ivory Coast overcome Tanzania in Tuesday’s group finales to stay alive.