The Super Falcons of Nigeria have failed to finish at number three as they lost 1-0 to Zambia in the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations third/fourth place match at Mohamed V Stadium on Friday night.
Following the disappointing loss, Rundy Waldrum’s charges now finish without the bronze medal. For Bruce Mwape’s starlets, Chiamaka Nnadozie’s own goal ensured they claimed a third-place finish.
Zambia had a bright start in the first five minutes and Agnes Musesa missed a header from close range after a great cross from the left, as the Nigeria were still asleep.
Nigerians had the next effort on goal with some swift interplay between Osinachi Ohale and Out Ibiang which resulted in them playing Gift Monday into space inside the box, but she fired over from 14-yards out.
Zambia took the lead on the 20th minute when a thunderous strike from Evarine Katongo from the edge of the box struck the woodwork but Nnadozie could not deal with the rebound as the ball hit her to enter the net.
The Super Falcons came closer to scoring an equalizer just on the 40th minute when Chirsty Ucheibe broke through on goal, but she was superbly denied in a one-on-one with Hazel Nali.
Rundy Waldrum’s charges continued to pressurise the Copper Queens early in the second stanza but they could not break down a compact defence while just before the hour-mark Susan Katongo forced a save out of goalkeeper Chiamaka with a dipping free-kick from range.
The game remained on the edge after that, with Zambia slowly getting into the game but they were not finding chances and resisted making substitutions.
Nigeria gained attacking momentum in the closing stages as Noria Sosala came close to snatching the equaliser nine minutes before time with a towering header that was headed away from goal by Ahita Mulenga.
Toni Payne had a good chance to level matters for the visitors in the dying minutes after a through ball by Monday at the near post but he dragged his low shot wide across goal.
Zambia held onto their lead to ensure the bronze medal remained theirs with Nigerian finishing outside the top three since the 2012 tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
