Falcons Eager to Rebound in Matchup with Copper Queens

Nigeria, the reigning cup-holders, are resolute in their pursuit to revive their campaign with a win against Zambia in their second Group C match at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco on Saturday, according to PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

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The 10-time champions were left reeling after a stunning 3-2 defeat to debutants Malawi in their opening match in Rabat on Tuesday, a result that sent shockwaves throughout the world of women’s football.

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Following a scoreless first half, Malawi took a two-goal lead before three goals were scored in added time, with Nigeria scoring two and Malawi adding one, resulting in a dream debut for the southern Africans at Africa’s premier women’s football tournament.

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On Saturday, the Falcons will face Zambia at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, with kick-off at 22h00, and will seek to reassert their dominance in the African game with a strong performance against the Copper Queens.

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The task at hand will not be an easy one, as Zambia currently tops Group C on goal difference after a resounding 6-0 victory over Egypt in their opening match, boasting a formidable striker in Barbara Banda, alongside Rachael Kundananji and Grace Chanda.

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Zambia has accumulated three points from their opener, with Malawi also on three points, while Nigeria and Egypt are yet to secure any points.

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A win for Zambia would propel them into the quarter-finals with a game to spare, putting additional pressure on Nigeria to perform.

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For the Super Falcons and their fans, the prospect of missing out on the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil is unthinkable, given their impressive record of attending every edition of the tournament since its inception in China in 1991.

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A strong result against Zambia is essential to keeping their World Cup hopes alive, as the top four semi-finalists at this year’s WAFCON will earn automatic qualification for the global showpiece.

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Both teams have a history to settle, with the Copper Queens having denied the Super Falcons a medal at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 by beating them in the third-place match.

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Last year, Nigeria exacted revenge, defeating Zambia by five goals in a quarter-final encounter, and the Copper Queens, now coached by Nora Häuptle, aim to improve upon their bronze medal finish from the 2022 edition, which was won under the late coach Bruce Mwape.