It’s that time again and attention is shifted from Accra to Cape Coast. The venue that served surprises in full measure the last time out – Nigeria versus Zambia is up next at the ever lively, full of tradition Cape Coast Stadium.

Coach Bruce Mwape’s side served a delightful opener, securing an outstanding 5:0 victory against Equatorial Guinea – it could have been 6-0 – Equatorial Guinea, the two times champions will give thanks to the woodwork for saving Grace Chanda’s spot kick.

Zambia’s impressive outing changed the entire prediction of the tournament, but whether or not they can churn out same performance against the wounded Coach Thomas Dennerby and his Super Falcons remain the day’s most skipped question.

It was Banyana Banyana’s Lithuanian-based Thembi Kgatlana’s 85th minute strike that peeled off the skin of the Super Falcons in Group B’s opening game before the Shepolopolo’s 5-0 win against the Nzalang Nacional Feminino. Those two results turned every prediction of Group B on its head and Nigeria, despite approaching the tournament as favourites, will need to go through similar process to convince everyone.

A win for the Super Eagles will end all hopes for the Zambians, while a win for the Chipolopolo will stretch the battle for the ticket to the last games.


What's your take guys?

Zambia have felt Nigeria’s sharp attacking sword in their only meeting in 2014 – Oparanozie, Oshoala, Ohale and Ikobi all battle ready found their names on the scoresheet as Nigeria humbled Zambia by 6 goals to nothing to win a 7th AWCON title.

MANAGERS’ THOUGHTS:

Thomas Dennerby (Head Coach, Nigeria)
As a coach you have to be professional and as I said before the opening fixture, whatever happens there are more games ahead. The best thing you can do as a coach and as a player is to start thinking about winning the next games and try to find how many goals you need to score and where you can be on the standings.

We are just working the way we used to be, trying to prepare the team the best way we can. I remain optimistic; the aim has not changed and definitely securing a ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

We hope to go all the way to the final in this tournament again. And of course we need to win against Zambia. Everybody knows we have to perform our best and fight with our hearts. We have to show ourselves that we are really a team that can handle situations like these.
Big teams use to do that and if we are really a big team, we will show that in the game against Zambia.

Bruce Mwape (Head Coach, Zambia)
We won the opening game and that is now history, it is water under the bridge. That is past and gone. Our focus is on the next game against Nigeria.

Nigeria is a very strong team which we know and losing their first game to South Africa, they would want to make amends against us (Zambia) and by claiming all the three points.

We are also ready and well-prepared to face them (Nigeria). It is actually true that we need to adjust our tactics because playing against Nigeria is different from our opening game with Equatorial Guinea.

We know the Nigerians are skillful and have good tactics and strategies but will try by all means to neutralise that with our tactics. We will stick to our style and we know it and cannot disclose it in the opening.