The Super Falcons of Nigeria soared into the semi-finals of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a commanding 5-0 victory over Zambia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Friday.
A dominant first-half display saw Nigeria take full control, with goals from Osinachi Ohale, Esther Okoronkwo, and Chinwendu Ihezuo setting the tone. Further strikes from Oluwatosin Demehin and Folashade Ijamilusi in the second half sealed the emphatic win and avenged their 1-0 loss to the Copper Queens in the third-place match at WAFCON 2022.
Head coach Justin Madugu rolled the dice with an unfamiliar attacking trio of Okoronkwo, Ijamilusi, and Ihezuo, and the gamble paid off brilliantly against a Zambian side that had impressed in the group stage.
The Falcons needed just two minutes to open the scoring, as Ohale timed her run perfectly to head home a pinpoint delivery from Okoronkwo’s deep free-kick. Despite Zambia’s attempts to hit back, led by star forward Barbra Banda—Nigeria remained composed and doubled their lead in the 33rd minute. Okoronkwo showed superb control to bring down Rasheedat Ajibade’s cross and finished clinically into the bottom corner.
Just before halftime, Nigeria capitalized on a defensive lapse, with Ihezuo latching onto a poor backward header to score her third goal of the tournament and make it 3-0 at the break.
Zambia showed greater intent in the second half but were unable to penetrate Nigeria’s rock-solid defense. The Falcons extended their lead in the 68th minute through Demehin, who converted another set-piece delivery from Okoronkwo. Ijamilusi completed the rout, tapping in Ajibade’s low cross from close range to make it 5-0.
This marks the third time Nigeria has defeated Zambia by four or more goals at WAFCON, following previous 6-0 and 4-0 triumphs in 2014 and 2018.
The victory also preserves the Super Falcons’ flawless record of reaching the semi-final stage in every edition of the tournament. Nigeria will now face either South Africa or Senegal in the semi-finals on July 22.
