Zambia head coach Nora Hauptle has admitted that her side failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Super Falcons of Nigeria in Saturday’s Group C clash at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Footynaija.com reports.
Nigeria bounced back from their opening defeat to Malawi courtesy of Asisat Oshoala’s eighth-minute strike, before losing a player in the 40th minute after defender Oluwatosin Demehin received a red card following a VAR review.
Despite playing with an extra player for more than half the contest, the Copper Queens were unable to find a way past a resolute Nigerian defense that also kept star striker Barbra Banda quiet throughout the encounter.
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Reflecting on the defeat after the match, Hauptle acknowledged that her team enjoyed long spells of control but failed to make them count.
“I think we had a lot of control and created a lot of breaks which were stopped by fouls and the red card was correct. Nigeria had a breakthrough from which they scored, which was the keeper’s error due to her position,” she said, per quotes revealed by Complete Sport.
“After halftime we decided to change the system to 4-4-2. The objective was to dominate with the ball and use our numerical advantage, but we started launching the ball from defence to attack which did not help us control possession.
“We brought in more skillful players which helped us become better, but we didn’t create lots of dangerous chances. It was in our hands, but we did not take our chance to beat Nigeria.”
The result leaves Malawi top of Group C with six points, while Nigeria and Zambia are level on three points, with the Copper Queens occupying second place on goal difference. Egypt remain bottom without a point.
Nigeria will face Egypt in their final group game on Wednesday, while Zambia take on group leaders Malawi in a must-win encounter as both teams battle for a place in the quarter-finals.
