WAFCON 2025: Angry Falcons destroy Zambia 5-0 after disrespectful comments

Super Falcons thrash Zambia 5-0 in WAFCON revenge clash; Nigeria eyes 10th title as they face hosts Morocco next in "Project X" semifinal showdown.

After online disrespect, the Super Falcons put the Zambian female national team to the sword with a 5-0 annihilation on Friday. (Photo credit: GOAL)

The Super Falcons of Nigeria destroyed the Zambian female national team on Friday, and you could feel anger in the Nigerian side following talks of the Zambian prowess in the media ahead of the game.

Pundits across Africa had called the game in favour of the Zambian side following their World Cup showing last year and the fact that they beat the Super Falcons in the third-place game at the last Women's Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Without a doubt, the Super Falcons are a much better all-round team than Zambia. Or any other team in Africa. They may sometimes struggle to show it due to the internal chaos that is always simmering below the surface, but they remain the most talented squad on the African continent.

Ahead of this game, however, all the talk was about the deadly duo of Banda and Rachael Kundananji and their ability to wreck the Nigerian defence. Zambia coach Nora Hauptle's talk of "going hunting" against Nigeria also left the nine-time champions bristling, Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu said.

It didn’t take long for the Super Falcons to show the Copper Queens that they’re not here to play. Osinachi Ohale headed home the opener in the second minute before Esther Okoronkwo chested the ball in the Zambian area before firing past the keeper to make it 2-0.

Chinwendu Ihezuo opened the second half account with what was her first goal for the Super Falcons; Blessing Demehin headed home from close range from a sleek Rasheedat Ajibade cross, and the captain was on hand to assist Folashade Ijamilusi late on for the latter’s first-ever Falcons goal.

Justin Madugu was quick to celebrate his girls who delivered out of anger. "The girls follow social media; they see reports, and they hear comments that are made by the opposition," he said. "They want to earn more respect for themselves because they believe, so far in the competition, they have not been given the kind of respect that they know they deserve.

"Over the last two or three days, there was a lot of determination in the girls to make sure they use this match to earn some respect for themselves. It was a motivation for them. You can see the way they played today. Everybody gave their all, gave their best to get the win today. We didn't play to defend; we went out to play. The girls deserve credit for it."

The Super Falcons will play Morocco next after the hosts beat Mali 2-0 in the other quarterfinal game on Friday. Remember the Moroccans beat the Super Falcons at the same stage of the last WAFCON; however, the Nigerian side is on a mission to win the tournament for the tenth time; they dubbed this one Project X.