OSHOALA SCORES, DEMEHIN SEES RED, FALCONS HOLD ON: NIGERIA SURVIVE ZAMBIA TEST

After the shock of losing 3–2 to WAFCON debutants Malawi in their opening game, the Super Falcons arrived against Zambia knowing there was little room for another slip-up.

So they did what champions do when the pressure is on.

They fought.

Nigeria 1, Zambia 0.

Asisat Oshoala delivered the moment that changed everything, scoring in the eighth minute to give Nigeria an early lead. But what looked like the perfect start quickly turned into a serious test of the Falcons' character.

Because Nigeria did not finish the game with eleven players.

They finished it with ten.

Oluwatosin Demehin was sent off in the 40th minute, leaving Nigeria with more than a half to defend their slender advantage against a Zambia side that had opened the tournament with a thumping 6–0 victory over Egypt.

Suddenly, Oshoala's early goal was worth its weight in gold.

Zambia pushed forward after the break, looking for the equaliser and trying to make their numerical advantage count. Nigeria, meanwhile, had to switch from chasing a second goal to protecting the first.

The Falcons dug in.

They defended their spaces, absorbed Zambia's pressure and managed the game with the kind of discipline the occasion demanded. Coach Justine Madugu also used his bench, bringing on fresh legs as Nigeria tried to see out the final stages.

And then came the whistle.

Relief.

Nigeria had done it.

Not with a five-goal thriller. Not with a dominant attacking display. Just one goal, one red card and a whole lot of resilience.

For Oshoala, the goal was another important moment in her long WAFCON story. For Nigeria, it was much bigger than that.

It was a lifeline.

The victory moves the Super Falcons to three points from two matches, while Malawi sit top of Group C on six points. Zambia also have three points, with Egypt yet to register a point.

That means Nigeria are still very much in the fight.

But there is no time to relax.

The Falcons' final group match is against Egypt, while Zambia will face Malawi. The results of those games will decide who moves into the quarter-finals.

And suddenly, the story of Nigeria's WAFCON campaign has changed.

After the Malawi defeat, it looked like the defending champions might be heading for an early crisis.

Against Zambia, they showed that they are not ready to surrender their crown just yet.

One goal, Ten players, Three points.

It may not have been pretty, but at this stage of the tournament, nobody in the Nigerian camp will be complaining. The Falcons came to Morocco to defend their title. And after surviving Zambia, the dream is still alive.

Keep the action moving with Monica

Football has its pressure moments, Your everyday money moves do not have to. With Monica, you can convert crypto to naira, pay bills and utilities, manage subscriptions and fund betting wallets — all from one app.

Download Monica [https://monica.cash/app] and keep your money moving, on and off the pitch.