Nigeria’s Tremendous Falcons confirmed nice resilience and defensive self-discipline to beat Zambia’s Copper Queens 1-0 of their WAFCON group-stage conflict in Rabat on Saturday night time.
Asisat Oshoala scored the one objective of the sport within the eighth minute, calmly ending contained in the field after connecting with a positive go to provide the defending champions an early lead.
Nigeria have been lowered to 10 gamers shortly earlier than half-time when defender Tosin Demehin was despatched off following a second problem involving Zambia ahead Barbra Banda.
Demehin had earlier acquired a yellow card for a problem on Banda, however the resolution was overturned after a VAR evaluate discovered an offside within the build-up. Nonetheless, one other conflict between the pair within the fortieth minute noticed the Nigerian defender proven a second yellow card and despatched off.
Regardless of being a participant down for greater than half of the match, the Tremendous Falcons defended resolutely and stayed organised.
Head coach Justin Madugu made a tactical change at the beginning of the second half, bringing on Shukurat Oladipo for debutant Rofiat Imuran.
Zambia pushed ahead in the hunt for an equaliser, however Nigeria’s defence stood agency. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie additionally made vital saves to maintain the Copper Queens at bay, whereas Uchenna Kanu and substitute Esther Okoronkwo supplied an attacking menace on the counter.
The victory provides the Tremendous Falcons back-to-back wins over Zambia within the competitors and retains their hopes of reaching the knockout phases alive.
Nigeria will play Egypt of their closing group match on Wednesday, August 5. Egypt are nonetheless looking for their first factors after shedding their opening two video games.
