Oshoala revives Nigeria's Wafcon and World Cup bid

What the report says

Nigeria kept their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign alive with a 1-0 victory over Zambia in Rabat, a result that also boosted their chances of qualifying for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. BBC Sport Football reported that Asisat Oshoala scored the decisive early goal, while Nigeria had to play much of the match with 10 players after Oluwatosin Demehin was sent off before halftime following a video assistant referee review.

The result was especially important because Nigeria had opened the tournament with a surprise defeat to Malawi and were facing the risk of an early exit. Wafcon in Morocco also serves as the qualifying route to the next Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the four semi-finalists earning direct places and the quarter-final losers still able to reach inter-confederation play-offs.

Zambia could not make their numerical advantage count, although they created some pressure through Racheal Kundananji and a late chance for Grace Chanda. The win moved Nigeria level with Zambia on three points in Group C, behind Malawi, who won their earlier match against Egypt. Nigeria now face Egypt in their final group game, while Zambia meet Malawi. The BBC also noted that South Africa are under pressure in Group B after taking only one point from two matches.