Zambia wrapped up their 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations on a positive note by defeating Nigeria’s Super Falcons 1-0 in the third place game on Friday. A spectacular long range shot from Evarine Katongo went off the post and into the goal off Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie for the game’s only goal. Winning the third place match means Zambia earn their best ever finish at the WAFCON while Nigeria’s fourth place finish matches their worst result since the 2012 edition in Equatorial Guinea.
Both teams had opportunities in the early exchanges with Nnadozie and Zambia keeper Hazel Nali easily handling efforts in the first ten minutes. Nigeria’s Christy Ucheibe probably should have put the Super Falcons up soon before the twenty minute mark after being set up by Ngozi Okobi but the Benfica midfielder put her shot over the bar from close range.
Zambia would find the game’s lone goal in the 29th minute when Katongo collected a lay off from Misozi Zulu. The angle and distance appeared to not favor Katongo but she let fly from long range and struck a splendid effort that went beyond a surprised Nnadozie and off the post. Nnadozie appeared to believe that the ball would fly wide or past her into the net but it came back off the post and off the shot stopper’s chest back into the goal.
Nigeria had a couple of excellent opportunities to even the match. Gift Monday ran onto a cross towards the end of the first half but her header went off the post before bouncing off Monday and out of play. Monday had another good look soon before halftime but after surging in beyond the Zambian defense she put her shot past an onrushing Nali and wide of goal. It was just not Nigeria’s day in the end with Monday having yet another golden opportunity before the hour mark but firing wide after receiving a pass from Francisca Ordega.
Highlights are below.
