Pius Nsabe
As the Copper Queens of Zambia prepare to face Nigeria’s Super Falcons in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final on Friday, July 18, 2025, excitement and tension have reached fever pitch across both nations. From Lusaka to Lagos, social media has become a battleground of banter, bold predictions, and passionate pleas for calm as two of Africa’s top women’s teams prepare for a defining clash in Casablanca.
Zambian confidence is sky-high, and the players are feeding off the energy. Star winger Racheal Nachula recently made headlines when she declared: “We are not scared of any team… like we cannot be scared of Nigeria.” This bold assertion reflects the mood in Zambia, where fans recall their historic 1–0 bronze-medal win over the Super Falcons at WAFCON 2022. Their head coach, Nora Häuptle, echoed the fearless tone, insisting that her team is ready for anyone: “If you want to reach the final, you need to beat everyone.”
On Zambian social media, optimism is overflowing. One fan on X (formerly Twitter) wrote: “Nigeria should remember 2022. We shocked them once, and we can do it again. Barbra Banda is unstoppable!” Another posted: “Copper Queens all the way! Let them bring Oshoala, we have Banda and Kundananji. The semi-final is ours!” Memes featuring Barbra Banda as a “Lion Hunter” targeting Nigeria’s Super Falcons have gone viral, with hashtags like #CopperQueensRising and #FearlessZambia trending in Lusaka.
Meanwhile, Nigeria enters the quarter-final with confidence in their unbeaten record but concerns over poor finishing. The Super Falcons topped Group B but scored only four goals in three matches, with their last game ending in a frustrating 0–0 draw against Algeria despite creating numerous chances. Coach Justin Madugu admitted the issue, saying: “We need to be creative and bold… why they’re not scoring goals is something we need to look at.”
Nigerian fans have been vocal online, urging their team to rediscover their sharp edge. One wrote on Instagram: “24 shots, zero goals? Abeg, Falcons no fall my hand on Friday!” Another commented: “Zambia no be beans, so our ladies need to come correct. We need Oshoala and Ajibade to show why they’re stars.” On X, some users struck a more cautious tone, with one post reading: “Respect Zambia. They are dangerous on the counter. We need goals early to kill the game.”
While Zambians are confident, Nigerian supporters remain hopeful that their team’s superior experience and defensive solidity—led by Chiamaka Nnadozie, who is yet to concede a goal—will make the difference. Still, fans on both sides agree on one thing: this will be a high-stakes showdown.
In Casablanca, all eyes will be on key battles: Kundananji against Plumptre, Banda against Nigeria’s backline, and whether Asisat Oshoala can rediscover her scoring boots when it matters most. The psychological edge may lie with Zambia, who are fueled by belief and past success, but Nigeria carries the weight of history and expectation.
The match kicks off Friday night, and if social media is anything to go by, it will be more than just a football match—it’s a clash of pride, passion, and power. As one Nigerian fan posted: “Na game we wan play, no be war we wan fight. But abeg, Super Falcons, no give us heartbreak.”