Asisat Oshoala’s 8th-minute strike against Zambia made all the difference at Stade El-Barid in Morocco as the Super Falcons kept their hopes of reaching the WAFCON 2026 knockout round alive, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria 1-0 Zambia: Oshoala comes up trumps

The Green and Whites headed into today’s clash on the back of a shocking loss to Malawi in the Group C opener, while Zambia cruised to a 6-0 win over Egypt.

Justine Madugu made four changes to the side that started against Malawi, bringing in Uchenna Kanu, Asisat Oshoala, Deborah Abiodun and Christy Ucheibe.

That decision paid off just minutes into the game as Oshoala came close to breaking the deadlock after a pass from Jennifer Echegini sent her through on goal, but she pushed the ball way too forward.

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The move repeated itself in the 8th minute, and the Al-Hilal Women’s striker put the ball into the back of the net after it ricocheted off Zambia’s goalkeeper Hazel Neli.

Asisat Oshoala’s opener for Nigeria against Zambia 👏 pic.twitter.com/MhBOgP1UVZ

— Leagues Reporter (@LeaguesReporter) August 1, 2026

The big talking point: Demehin’s controversial red card

Nigeria’s night took a wrong turn in the 40th minute after Centre-back Oluwatosin Demehin was sent off for a shove on Zambia’s Barbra Banda. A VAR Check initially kicked off in the 34th minute after it appeared the Galatasaray defender stood in Banda’s way.

There’s absolutely no way the referee is giving Demehin a red card for this. No way.. pic.twitter.com/elJxe3MjBd

— Ojora Babatunde (@ojbsports) August 1, 2026

A few minutes later, Kenyan referee Josephine Wanjiku walked to the screen to review the incident and,…