Copper Queens of Zambia defeated fine-tune champions Nigeria to win their first WAFCON title as they finished third in the WAFCON 2022.
Zambia who started the tournament with impressive performance even without some of their key senior players like Barbara Banda defeated the almighty Super Falcons 1-0.
Nigeria was regarded as the favourite to win the WAFCON 2022 with their star-studded side but a shocking 2-1 loss to South Africa and a 4-5 penalty shootout lost to host Morocco shattered their La Decima dream.
The Super Falcons decided to settle for bronze medal but again were denied by a more determined Zambian side.
Nigeria dominated possession and had more scoring opportunities in the third place game played at the Stade Mohammed V.
Nigeria would have themselves to blame after failing to make most of their chances count.
Okobi set up Ucheibe inside the Zambians’ area in the 22nd minute but the latter fired wide.
It was the Zambia who got broke the deadlock in the 28th minute through youngster Evarine Katongo, who released a thunderbolt from outside the box but hit the goal post.
The ball bounced off goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and found it’s way way into the back of the net.
Nigeria almost levelled in the 56th minute through Monday Gift, but the forward missed a clear sitter.
The Super Falcons threw everything in their arsenal on Zambia in their bid to equalize , but the Copper Queens did not botched as they held on to their 1-0 lead to claim the bronze medal.
