A rampaging Nigeria side produced their best performance yet at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a stunning 5-0 demolition of Zambia in Casablanca to reach the semifinals in emphatic fashion, Footynaija.com reports.
Seeking revenge for their bronze medal defeat to the Copper Queens at the last WAFCON, the Super Falcons left no room for doubt this time.
From the second minute, Nigeria set the tone when veteran defender Osinachi Ohale nodded home from a perfectly delivered Esther Okoronkwo freekick. The early goal rattled Zambia, and Nigeria pounced again.
NIGERIA HAVE THE EARLY LEAD
Nigeria 1-0 Zambia#GTVSports #WAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/h6uvWjKMlL
— GTV SPORTS+ (@mygtvsports) July 18, 2025
Okoronkwo, handed her first start of the tournament, made it 2-0 in the 34th minute, chesting down a loose ball before firing home confidently.
NIGERIA EXTEND THEIR LEAD
Nigeria 2-0 Zambia #GTVSports #WAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/kKlWMP8WYh
— GTV SPORTS+ (@mygtvsports) July 18, 2025
The forward was involved again just before halftime as she pressured the Zambian defence into another error that Chinwendu Ihezuo capitalised on, smashing home Nigeria’s third.
ITS THREEEEEEEEEEEEE
Nigeria 3-0 Zambia#GTVSports pic.twitter.com/G2pjAmI9e7
— GTV SPORTS+ (@mygtvsports) July 18, 2025
Zambia, touted as one of the tournament’s most dangerous attacking sides with Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, were completely outclassed and silenced. Despite more possession in the second half, they failed to register a single shot on target.
Tosin Demehin added Nigeria’s fourth in the 68th minute, glancing in yet another dangerous Okoronkwo set-piece.
NIGERIA ARE RUNNING RIOT AGAINST ZAMBIA \
Nigeria 4-0 Zambia#GTVSports pic.twitter.com/S5Jb7GtZ1Y
— GTV SPORTS+ (@mygtvsports) July 18, 2025
The final nail came in added time, as Folashade Ijamilusi finished off a sweeping move initiated by Rasheedat Ajibade.
Coach Justin Madugu’s tactical reshuffle paid dividends, with all three attacking changes — Okoronkwo, Ihezuo, and Ijamilusi — getting on the scoresheet.
With one goal and two assists against Zambia, and a total of four assists in the tournament, Okoronkwo has emerged as one of the breakout stars of the competition.
Nigeria now await the winner of the clash between reigning champions South Africa and Senegal in the last four, with momentum firmly on their side.