The ground is laid for an exciting quarterfinal match at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as the Super Falcons of Nigeria get ready to battle the Copper Queens of Zambia on Friday, July 18.
Nigeria, who have won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations nine times, are heading into the knockout stage of the tournament as the team most likely to win, based on their strong history and impressive performances so far.
The Super Falcons were exceptional at the group stage, with a 3-0 win against Tunisia and 1-0 win against Botswana.
Despite the goalless draw against Algeria in their last fixture, they still top group B with 7 points.
Led by head coach Randy Waldrum, the Nigerian team has a blend of experienced international stars and young domestic players.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Asisat Oshoala are expected to play key roles in tearing apart Zambia’s defense line.
On their part, Zambia have shown resilience and determination throughout the tournament. They began their campaign with a pulsating 2-2 draw with tournament hosts Morocco, prior to their 3-2 win over Senegal.
They sealed qualification to the quarterfinals by beating DR Congo 1-0, to finish second in Group A, also with seven points.
The Copper Queens will hope on Barbra Banda to lead the line against the Nigerian giants. The midfield maestro Grace Chanda will be tasked with controlling the tempo and feeding the attack, as Zambia will be hoping to cause a massive upset.
With a place in the semifinals and potential qualification for the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup at stake, both teams will no doubt go all out in what promises to be a keenly contested tie.
Match Details
Fixture: Nigeria vs Zambia
Date: Friday, July 18, 2025
Kickoff Time:5:00 PM (Nigerian Time).
Broadcast: DSTV SuperSport, Afrosport, and SABC Sport.
Fans across the continent will be tuning in as two of Africa’s most exciting women’s teams battle for supremacy in what could be one of the most memorable matches of this year’s WAFCON tournament.
