Nigeria’s Super Falcons returned to winning ways at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, defeating Zambia 1-0 in a hard fought Group C encounter in Morocco.
As a result, defender Michelle Alozie was named Woman of the Match after a commanding performance at the back. Consequently, the win eased mounting pressure on Justine Madugu’s side following their opening day defeat to Malawi.
Asisat Oshoala broke the deadlock early, index netting the winning goal in the eighth minute to hand Nigeria the perfect start.
Following this, the Super Falcons were forced to dig deep after suffering a significant setback in the first half.
Indeed, Tosin Demehin was sent off before the break leaving Nigeria to see out the remainder of the contest with ten players. Nevertheless, the Super Falcons held firm, and as a result, Chiamaka Nnadozie’s clean sheet became just as important as Oshoala’s finish.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Alozie was central to Nigeria’s resolve throughout the match. The 29-year-old defender played a huge part in the Super Falcons’ success and furthermore, she gave the Zambian attack little room to work with for the majority of the game.
Alozie started the game at right-back before being switched to left-back in the second half, underlining the tactical trust Madugu placed in her versatility. Her performance drew widespread praise from fans and pundits alike, with many likening her composure under pressure to that of elite defenders in the men’s game.
Meanwhile, the occasion did not end for Alozie once the final whistle blew. She subsequently underwent a routine post-match doping test after being confirmed as Woman of the Match, a process that kept her at the stadium long after most of her teammates had departed. She later discussed the experience in an interview with a CAF-accredited journalist, confirming that the test had taken place following her standout display.
Alozie’s performance offers fresh reassurance heading into a defence of the WAFCON title Nigeria won just last year. As a result, her ability to adapt across both full-back positions, while marshalling a ten-woman side under pressure, reinforces her standing as one of the most reliable defenders in the current Super Falcons setup.
The win keeps alive Nigeria’s hopes of a deep run in the tournament, a storyline that continues to resonate strongly back home given the team’s status as defending champions. Nigeria will now turn attention to their final Group C fixture against Egypt’s Cleopatras on Wednesday night, a match that could determine their path into the knockout stage.
Consequently, Madugu is expected to assess Demehin’s suspension status ahead of that clash, while Alozie’s continued fitness will remain a key point of interest given her heavy workload against Zambia.
Ultimately, a positive result against Egypt would confirm Nigeria’s progression and set up a fresh test in the quarter-finals as the Super Falcons chase another continental crown.
