Nigeria and Zambia face off in one of the standout fixtures of the WAFCON 2026 group stage when they meet at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Saturday.
The two sides head into the contest on the back of contrasting opening results. The Super Falcons were beaten 3-2 by Malawi, while the Copper Queens began their campaign with an emphatic 6-0 win over Egypt.
With qualification hopes on the line, the Super Falcons will be eager to respond after their opening defeat, while the Copper Queens have the opportunity to strengthen their position in Group C and move closer to the knockout rounds.
Nigeria Under Pressure
Nigeria have overcome difficult starts at previous editions of the tournament and will be hoping their experience can help them navigate another challenging situation.
The Super Falcons lost their opening matches at the 2018 and 2022 editions but responded strongly, winning the title in 2018 and reaching the semi-finals in 2022, with both runs securing qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. They will be aiming for a similar turnaround this time, but defeat to Zambia, combined with a Malawi victory over Egypt, would see the defending champions eliminated at the group stage for the first time in their history and miss out on the global tournament for the first time.
2024 WAFCON MVP and captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who scored in the opening game, will once again be key to Nigeria’s hopes, with the ten-time African champions counting on their tournament pedigree and experienced players as they look to keep their campaign alive
Copper Queens Rising
Zambia have emerged as one of Africa’s fastest-growing women’s football nations in recent years, with their progress highlighted by a first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance in 2023.
The Copper Queens secured their first WAFCON medal in 2022 and followed that achievement by reaching the quarter-finals at the last edition, further underlining their rise on the continent.
Captain Barbra Banda has been central to Zambia’s progress and etched her name into WAFCON history by becoming only the third player to score four goals in a single match, after Perpetua Nkwocha (2004) and Asisat Oshoala (2016).
Zambia will now be aiming to reach the knockout stages for a third consecutive tournament and secure a second successive FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance.
A Familiar Contest
Nigeria and Zambia have developed a competitive history in recent years, meeting regularly at the continental showpiece.
The Super Falcons have enjoyed the upper hand in previous meetings, winning three of their four encounters at the tournament. Nigeria recorded heavy victories in their first two meetings, beating Zambia 6-0 in 2014 and 4-0 in 2018, before the Copper Queens claimed a historic 1-0 victory over Nigeria in the 2022 third-place play-off.
Nigeria responded in their most recent meeting, defeating Zambia 5-0 in the quarter-finals of the last edition. With both nations now established among Africa’s leading sides, another fiercely contested encounter is expected in Rabat.
MATCH DETAILS:
Match: Nigeria vs Zambia
Date: Saturday, 1 August 2026
Time: 9:00 PM (WAT)
Venue: Al Madina Stadium, Rabat
What they said
Justin Madugu (Nigeria head coach):
“We all want to be at the World Cup and we know what it means to Nigerians. We still have our fate in our hands and we will do everything possible to make sure we qualify.”
Nora Häuptle (Zambia head coach):
“We have a clear plan on how we’re going to approach Nigeria. We believe deeply that we are able to challenge and beat them. My team Zambia never plays for a draw. It’s not in our nature. We always chase for a lead in a game.”
How to Watch
The match will be available through CAF’s official media partners worldwide, with fans in selected markets able to watch live on CAF TV via YouTube. Additional coverage will be provided by broadcasters including DAZN, Sport 5, Sport Italia and Ziggo Sport.
