Nigeria held on with 10 players to secure a crucial 1-0 victory in Rabat, leaving Group C finely poised ahead of the decisive final round

Nigeria’s Super Falcons beat Zambia 1-0 in Rabat on Saturday, overcoming the early dismissal of defender Blessing Demehin to revive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Also read: The Super Falcons Can Do It Again — Aisha Falode

Asisat Oshoala scored the decisive goal after just eight minutes at the Al Madina Stadium, before Nigeria were forced to defend with 10 players for more than half an hour after Demehin was sent off in the 40th minute for a foul on Zambia captain and star striker Barbra Banda.

The victory puts Nigeria back in contention in a fiercely contested Group C, with Malawi leading on six points after two matches, while Nigeria and Zambia have three points each. Egypt remain without a point.

The group will be decided in the final round of matches, with Nigeria facing Egypt and Malawi taking on Zambia on Wednesday.

Nigeria, the defending champions and record 10-time winners, will now head into their final group game with renewed confidence as they pursue an 11th WAFCON title.

Oshoala provided the crucial breakthrough in the eighth minute after racing beyond two defenders before seeing her initial effort blocked by Zambia goalkeeper Hazel Nali.

The rebound struck Oshoala’s right leg and rolled into the net, giving the Super Falcons an early advantage in a match that would later become a test of their defensive resilience.

The complexion of the contest changed eight minutes before half-time when Demehin was shown a red card for her challenge on Banda, leaving Nigeria with a numerical disadvantage against one of the tournament’s most dangerous attacking sides.

The Super Falcons nevertheless held firm to protect their narrow lead and secure a hugely important three points.

The result is particularly significant given Nigeria’s difficult start to the tournament. The defending champions suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat to WAFCON debutants Malawi in their opening Group C fixture, while Zambia began their campaign with a commanding 6-0 victory over Egypt.

The latest results have transformed the group into a tense four-team contest, with only Egypt currently facing the prospect of elimination after two defeats.

The other Group C fixture on Saturday produced another surprise result, as Malawi defeated Egypt 3-1 at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium to maintain their perfect start.

Temwa Chawinga played a decisive role in the victory, setting up one goal before scoring another as Malawi continued their remarkable campaign.

Rose Kadzere opened the scoring after 35 minutes when she converted a pass from Chawinga, before Faith Chinzimu doubled Malawi’s advantage in first-half stoppage time with a close-range finish.

Chawinga then extended the lead in the 69th minute, winning a race for possession with Egypt goalkeeper Maha Shehata before heading the ball into the net.

Egypt pulled one back two minutes later when Eman Kassem headed a free-kick beyond Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo, but the goal could not prevent another defeat for the North Africans.

Malawi were also reduced to 10 players when Rose Alufandika received a straight red card in the 52nd minute for a last-defender foul on Habiba Essam.

The Scorchers, competing at the tournament for the first time, have now produced one of the competition’s most impressive early stories. Their victory over defending champions Nigeria was followed by another assured performance against Egypt, leaving Malawi in a strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals.

For Nigeria, however, the focus now shifts to the decisive final group fixture.

The Super Falcons will face an Egypt side desperate to recover from successive heavy defeats, while Zambia will meet Malawi in a match that could determine the final shape of the group.

Nigeria’s victory over Zambia has therefore reopened the door to the knockout stages, but the defending champions cannot afford to relax. With three teams separated by just three points between the group leaders and Zambia, the final round promises a dramatic conclusion to one of the tournament’s most unpredictable groups.

The Super Falcons now have the opportunity to turn a difficult start into a memorable recovery. A victory over Egypt would strengthen their claim for a place in the quarter-finals, while the outcome of the Malawi-Zambia encounter will also have a direct bearing on Nigeria’s fate.

Also read: Oshoala Apologises After Super Falcons’ WAFCON Defeat

After surviving a prolonged spell with 10 players against Zambia, Nigeria will take confidence from a hard-fought result that has kept their title defence alive and ensured that Group C remains wide open.