Date: Friday 18th July, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm
Stadium Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
Referee
Goal Scorer:
Team News
Nigeria
Nigeria’s women’s national team, the Super Falcons, is the undisputed giants of African football. With nine WAFCON titles (out of 12 editions before the current one), they’ve long towered over the competition. From their first title in 1991 to their last in 2018, the Falcons have been the benchmark for excellence, producing legendary players like Perpetua Nkwocha, Mercy Akide, and six-time African women’s best player Asisat Oshoala.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria, coached by Justin Madugu, topped Group B with seven points and zero goals conceded. They defeated Tunisia (3-0), edged Botswana (1-0), and drew Algeria (0-0) in a performance defined by structure and defensive steel.
Nigeria is calm, organised, and patient. Madugu has tightened the backline and instructed his team to move as one unit.
“We all defend as one and attack as one,” said Plumptre. “We are proud to have gone through the group stage without conceding.”
Still, the Falcons have struggled in front of the goal; something Madugu acknowledged. “We’ve been trying to improve our goal conversion. These things take time; it’s not a magical process. But I trust the girls will make an impact.”
Zambia
Zambia, on the other hand, has emerged as a serious contender only in the last half-decade. Their bronze medal in 2022, which came after a historic 1-0 victory over Nigeria in the third-place match, marked a turning point, showing they could not only compete with but beat the best.
That 2022 win was Zambia’s first over Nigeria in WAFCON history. Before then, the Falcons had humiliated them 6-0 in 2014 and 4-0 in 2018. However, the rise of Zambia’s golden generation, led by Barbara Banda, Grace Chanda, and Rachel Kundananji, has shifted the narrative from hopeful underdogs to genuine contenders.
Zambia, led by Swiss coach Florence Hauptle, matched that total in Group A but finished second behind Morocco on goal difference. The Copper Queens drew 2-2 with the hosts, edged Senegal 3-2 in a thriller, and beat DR Congo 1-0.
Zambia, meanwhile, thrives on chaos and explosive transitions.
Prediction: Nigeria 1-0 Zambia