Defensive Battle Sees Nigeria Top Group B Unbeaten
The Super Falcons’ wings were temporarily clipped on Sunday evening as Algeria’s Lady Fennecs executed a defensive masterclass to secure a historic 0-0 draw at Stade Mohammed V, booking their maiden WAFCON quarterfinal berth while Nigeria’s heavily rotated side preserved their group-topping status.
Under the Casablanca floodlights, Coach Justine Madugu’s experimental lineup featuring eight changes from Thursday’s Botswana victory found themselves trapped in Algeria’s tactical web. The Desert Foxes deployed a compact 5-4-1 formation that transformed the pitch into a maze of red shirts, with veteran goalkeeper Chloe N’gazi Boumrar orchestrating her backline like a symphony conductor.
The match’s pivotal moment arrived just before halftime when Francisca Ordega, Nigeria’s most vibrant attacker on the night, whipped in a dangerous cross that fell to Ifeoma Onumonu. The Gotham FC striker’s goalbound effort was miraculously smothered by Boumrar, preserving Algeria’s clean sheet and drawing gasps from the 12,000-strong crowd.
Nigeria’s frustration grew in the 52nd minute when a goalmouth scramble saw the ball pinball between four green shirts without finding the net. Three minutes later, Ordega’s selfless cutback found captain Rasheedat Ajibade, only for the Atletico Madrid star to be swallowed by a swarm of Algerian defenders.
Substitute Esther Okoronkwo nearly became Nigeria’s savior late on, but her angled drive whistled just wide of the far post. When referee Lidya Tafesse Abebe blew the final whistle, the Algerians collapsed in exhausted celebration; their tactical discipline had earned them a slice of history.
While Algeria celebrated their first-ever knockout stage qualification, Nigeria’s technical crew immediately shifted focus to Friday’s potentially explosive quarterfinal against Zambia’s Copper Queens. The Falcons’ decision to rest key players like Asisat Oshoala and Ashleigh Plumptre now appears a calculated gamble, with fresh legs expected to return against the Olympic quarterfinalists.
“We achieved our primary objective of topping the group while giving valuable minutes to our entire squad,” the Nigerian coach told the press post-match. “Zambia presents a different challenge entirely; they’re athletic, organized, and have one of Africa’s deadliest strikers in Barbra Banda. We’ll be ready.
Tournament Landscape
- Nigeria: Group B winners (7 pts, 0 goals conceded)
- Algeria: Advance as best third-place finisher (4 pts)
- Zambia: Finished second in Group C behind South Africa
All eyes now turn to Friday’s quarterfinal clash (July 20), where Nigeria’s defensive solidity, yet to be breached in 270+ minutes, will face its sternest test against Zambia’s attacking verve. For Algeria, a dream run continues as they prepare to face Group A winners Morocco in what promises to be a fiery North African derby.
Final Score: Nigeria 0-0 Algeria
