Unbeaten Super Falcons hit the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final with a stunning 5-0 drubbing of Zambia in a quarter-final tie in Casablanca on Friday evening.
The stunning performance sent the nine-time champions to the semi-finals and left the once-dreaded Zambians heading for home.
The Zambians, known for incredible strength, ability, and ambition in their previous three games, didn’t know what hit them as early as half-time.
Unbeaten Super Falcons: Ohale Opens The Door To Goals
Towering defender Osinachi Ohale, who netted when the Super Falcons mauled the Zambians 6-0 in a group stage match in Namibia 11 years ago, rose above everyone else to make a clever contact with the ball with her head and send the goalkeeper the wrong way, from Esther Okoronkwo’s free-kick, with only 100 seconds played.
The Nigerian girls delivered a defensive masterclass from the wings and in the middle of the park, and even when the Zambians had the rare sight of goal, in the 21st and 30th minutes, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and her defence took care of things.
Nigeria got a classic second goal they deserved in the 33rd minute. Echegini forcefully collected the ball in the middle, found Ashleigh Plumptre, who connected with her captain. Ajibade lofted the ball into the box, and Okoronkwo swiftly chested down before dispatching it into the far corner.
Before recess, it was 3-0.
Nnadozie sent out a long ball from her territory, which a Zambian defender miscued, freeing the lurking Ihezuo, who progressed and picked the far angle.
2nd Half, More Goals
In the second half, Nigeria did not have to do much other than cripple Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji led Zambians, before adding more goals.
Defender Tosin Demehin scored with a header from a dead ball on the right, and Ijamilusi, timing her run well, connected a cross from Ajibade to earn Nigeria’s fifth goal.
In the semi-finals, Nigeria will take on the winner of Saturday’s quarter-final game between Cup holders South Africa and Senegal.
Unsurprisingly, Captain Rasheedat Ajibade emerged as the Woman of the Match after overseeing the annihilation of a squad that deluded themselves into believing they were the new continental order.