Despite playing the majority of the contest with a numerical deficit, Nigeria conjured up a 1-0 win over Zambia in their penultimate Group C match to keep their hopes alive. Asisat Oshoala’s 8th-minute goal separated the two sides at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.
BolaNews scores the Copper Queens players out of 10 in their narrow defeat to the Super Falcons on Saturday.
GOALKEEPER
Hazel Nali (6/10): But for Nali, Zambia would have conceded more than one goal against the record WAFCON winners.
DEFENDERS
Margret Belemu (5/10): A tough evening for the right back, who didn’t enjoy as much attacking freedom as she did against Egypt.
Mapalo Maluba (6/10): When Nigeria came knocking on Zambia’s goal in the second half, Maluba was usually in the right place to stop them.
Lushomo Mweemba (5/10): While she will feel she was the guilty party in the first goal after being outpaced by Oshoala, the defender ramped up the gears after that and was rock solid and proactive.
Racheal Nachula (5/10): The veteran defender had much more defending to do at left back against the Super Falcons.
MIDFIELDERS
Rhodah Chileshe (5/10): She was withdrawn at the interval.
Ireen Lungu (4/10): She did not command play in the middle.
Grace Chanda (5/10): Chanda tried to grow into the game and enjoyed better touches of the ball after Eneless Phiri came on, but nothing went her way.
FORWARDS
Prisca Chilufya (3/10): A disappointing performance from the forward, who never really turned up on the day.
Racheal Kundananji (4/10): Kundananji was industrious as always but lacked the clinical edge and decisiveness in attack.
Barbra Banda (5/10): She did not have a good match.
SUBSTITUTES
Eneless Phiri (5/10): Phiri was much more of the nuisance to Nigerian defenders than the starting wingers, giving the Super Falcons something to think about.
Evarine Katongo (4/10): Her introduction should have brought more control in the middle of the park for Zambia, but she didn’t live up to the billing.
Mercy Chipasula (4/10): She was fiery immediately; she came with her crunch tackles, but that was pretty much it.
Saliya Mwanza (5/10): The youngster tried to push the team forward with her carries, but it didn’t lead to much.
Kabange Mupopo (3/10): Inaccurate passes, failed dribbles, and looking out of sync: Mupopo did not perform to standards.
COACH
Nora Häuptle (3/10): Just the narrow defeat but a lackluster performance given the context. However, the Copper Queens lacked composure, control, and quality. The long ball tactic was horrible.
READ ALSO : Copper Queens Fall to Nigeria as Hauptle Laments Missed Opportunity.
