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Nigeria’s Super Falcons will look to revive their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title defence when they take on Zambia in a crucial Group C encounter in Rabat. The defending champions head into the match under pressure after a shock 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi, while Zambia boosted their confidence with a commanding 6-0 victory over Egypt in their opening game.
The contrasting opening results have left Nigeria needing at least a positive result to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive, while Zambia could secure qualification with a win if Malawi avoid defeat against Egypt. Despite the current pressure, history favours the Super Falcons, who have won three of their previous four WAFCON meetings against Zambia and outscored the Copper Queens 15-1 across those encounters.
Head coach Justin Madugu described the loss to Malawi as a wake-up call and expressed confidence that his side can respond positively. A victory over Zambia would put the nine-time African champions back on course to defend their continental crown, while another setback would leave them on the brink of an early exit.
