WAFCON 2022: Super Falcons lose to Zambia in third place play-off

On Friday, the Copper Queens of Zambia defeated the Super Falcons of Nigeria 1-0 to win the bronze medal in the 2022 WAFCON third-place match.

Zambia won its first ever medal thanks to an own goal by Chiamaka Nnadozie in the first half.

The Falcons finished fourth in the last and only edition in 2012.

The Falcons had the first shot on goal in the fourth minute, but Francisca Ordega’s effort was deflected.

The Zambians had their own chance in the seventh minute, but Ireen Lungu’s long-range effort was calmly saved by Nnadozie.

Gift Monday attempted to connect with a cross from the right a few minutes later but failed to make a clean contact as the keeper came out to claim.

The Falcons kept pressing and were almost rewarded in the 14th minute when skipper Ngozi Okobi’s long-range left foot strike was saved.

Christy Ucheibe had the game’s best chance in the 20th minute after being set up by Okobi inside the box, but her strike went just over the bar.

On 29 minutes, Evarine Katongo’s long-range shot hit the post, bounced off Nnadozie, and went into the net.

Following an injury to Ucheibe in the 34th minute, the Falcons were forced to make an early substitution, with Rita Chikwelu replacing him.

Monday should have equalised for the Falcons after meeting a cross from Regina Otu, but the ball hit the post and she failed to convert the rebound.

With four minutes remaining in the first half, Ashleigh Plumptre hit a left-footed freekick that the keeper parried over the bar.

Monday was played through on goal for the Falcons one minute after the restart, but her effort was off target.

On 53 minutes, Zambia nearly doubled their lead, but Okobi did well enough to put an end to the threat.

Monday missed another great chance in the 57th minute when Ordega played a good pass to him, who fired wide with only the keeper to beat.

On 63 minutes, Grace Chanda came close but couldn’t direct her header from a superb cross into the goal.

A few minutes later, Ordega met a low cross from Uchenna Kanu, but the Zambian goalkeeper was quick to come out and block the effort.

After good play, Chanda went close for Zambia with 13 minutes remaining, but her effort was off target.

After a poor clearance by a Zambian player, substitute Vivian Ikechukwu had an opportunity to equalise, but she blasted her shot wide of the target.