WAFCON 2022: Nigeria vs Zambia, Preview, Head to Head, Time, Where To Watch

Ayomikun Elemikan

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will file out against the Copper Queens in the third  place match of the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Friday night, Sportivation.com.ng reports. 

Nigeria will be looking to end the tournament on a high after their hopes of securing a tenth continental title were thwarted when the team lost 5-4 on penalties to hosts Morocco.

Meanwhile, Zambia narrowly lost 1-0 to South Africa with the only goal of the game coming via a spot kick converted in the fourth minute of additional time.

Match Preview

Since the women’s competition began in 1998, this is just the third time the West Africans will feature in a third-place encounter – winning one and losing the other.

Nigeria defeated the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 5-4 on penalties in 2008 but lost 1-0 to the same opponents at the 2012 edition.

Obviously, Randy Waldrum’s ladies are favourites to edge this encounter.

During this tournament, the Copper Queens have been able to advance from the group stages for the very first time in three attempts.

Super Falcons Hope To Bow Out With A Medal

The Nigerian team are currently going through some administration hiccups as the ladies protested by refusing to train on Wednesday due to unpaid allowances and bonuses. This could affect their performance on Friday night.

Also, two key players for the Nigerian side were sent off against Morocco.

Both Halimatu Ayinde and Radheedat Ajibade will miss tonight’s tie after they were penalised for their nasty challenges on Monday night.

Captain of the side, Onome Ebi will miss the encounter due to injury.

Copper Queens Seeking An Upset

The Zambians are in high spirits despite losing to African giants, South Africa in the last four.

Following their passage to the semis, they automatically qualified for their first ever Women’s World Cup.

The team, managed by Bruce Mwape, represented Africa at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and we’re impressive and will be hoping to beat Nigeria for the very first time.

Head-to-Head

The Super Falcons have never drawn, lost or even conceded a single goal against the Zambians.

Nigeria completely edge the H2H with two wins from two matches.

The first encounter between both sides was at the 2014 WAFCON and ended 6-0 in favour of Nigeria before the one-time champions also walloped their opponents 4-0 at the 2018 edition.

Players to Watch

With the absence of Ayinde and Ajibade, coach Waldrum will be banking on the speed of Uchenna Kanu and the dribbling abilities of Monday Gift to wreak havoc against their opponents.

Meanwhile, Grace Chanda and Zambia national team captain Misozi Zulu should be a cause of worry for the West Africans tonight.

Prediction

The Copper Queens have proved to be a very decent side so far and it will definitely not be a walk in the park for Nigeria.

The Super Falcons possess more quality and should be able to navigate their way past their opponents, with the right tactics.

Apart from the suspended or unfit players, both teams have some of the finest female players in the world.

Asisat Oshoala, who just won her fifth player of the year award, played very little part in the Super Falcons’ campaign while Barbra Banda was disqualified from the tournament.

We believe the Nigerians should come out tops in this important match.

We say: Nigeria 2-1 Zambia

Time
9pm

Where to Watch
Supersport, Afrosport