The Zambia Women’s National Team, The Copper Queens and the Super Falcons of Nigeria will square off on Friday at the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 in a quarterfinal tie.
Zambia will face Nigeria at 18h00 CAT on Friday, 18 July at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. The fixture is a repeat of the 2022 WAFCON bronze medal match, which the Copper Queens won 1–0.
Both Zambia and Nigeria reached the knockout stage unbeaten, each finishing on seven points with two wins and one draw in their respective groups, Zambia placing second in Group A and Nigeria topping Group B.
KUNDANANJI VS PLUMPTRE
Bay FC’s Rachel Kundananji is one of Zambia’s best outlets and has not disappointed scoring three goals assisting one and winning player of the match in back to back games.
This has been Kundananji’s tournament as she has managed to score in all the three group games becoming the first Zambian female football player to do so in the continental showpiece.
The bullish forward has given defenders a tough time so far in the campaign but comes up against Nigeria’s Ashleigh Plumptre on Friday, a match up the fans are eager to witness.
Plumptre, 27, has impressed with composure and defensive solidity on the left for the Super Falcons who are yet to concede at this tournament.
Should Kundananji win this match up it could go a long way in helping the Copper Queens overcome the nine time WAFCON winners.
OSHOALA VS SUPER LUSHO
Assist Ashoala has not had the best outing so far at the tournament but the Nigerian star forward remains one of the greatest exports from the continent and her experience will always come in handy.
She has only managed a goal so far in this campaign but the six time African Women’s Footballer of the year is one who can not be ruled out.
Oshoala’s national team record commands respect: three Women’s AFCON titles (2014, 2016, 2018), over 30 international goals, and rare longevity at the highest level.
She has played in three FIFA Women’s World Cups, scoring in each edition. In 2023, against Australia, she became the first African player to score in three different Women’s World Cups—a composed finish that perfectly encapsulated her journey.
Meanwhile comes up against Lushomo Mweemba, a player vested in the art of thwarting threats.
Mweemba also made history of her own at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as she became the first Zambian (male or female ) player to score in the global showpiece as Zambia saw off Costa Rica 3-1, Kundananji and Barbra Banda with the other goals.
At the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations she has been a key player for the Copper Queens and will be important to their set up against Nigeria.
BB11 VS CHIAMAKA
It will be the reigning African Goalkeeper of the Year coming face to face with the reigning African Women’s footballer of the year as CHIAMAKA Nnadozie comes up against Barbra Banda.
Nnadozie has yet to concede a goal at the tournament and has made 2 crucial saves keeping a 100 percent save rate in the tournament.
Meanwhile Banda has netted 3 goals and set up one to keep her in the race for the Golden Boot.
If you can put your last coin on any goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet it would Nnadozie and if you can bet on any player to score it would be Banda giving this match that much more anticipation and intrigue.
Banda blanked in the last group game and will be looking to return to scoring ways to help the Copper Queens proceed to the semifinals at the expense of the most successful team in this competition.
THE COMPUTER VS AYINDE
Halimatu Ayinde missed the Paris 2024 Olympics due to injury with a vergence at the 2024 WAFCON playing a vital role in the opening two games before being tested for the third match.
The FC Rosengård midfielder has been orchestrating things in the middle of the park.
And as the saying goes the team that dominates the midfield often dominates the game and both Zambia and Nigeria will be looking to be in control of the match.
Ayinde will come up with the female Computer, Ireen ‘Xavi’ Lungu as the duo face off for midfield supremacy.
Lungu had probably her best game against DR Congo before being hit with a high boot in the face and subsequently subbed off.
Lungu has the ability to control the temple of the match and is a busy body in the middle of the park which will come in handy against a very compact Super Falcon side.
