Zambia women’s national team head coach Nora Häuptle has admitted that the Copper Queens were second best in their crushing 5-0 defeat against Nigeria in Casablanca, Morocco.
Zambia's hopes of advancing to the semi-finals of the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations were brutally ended on Friday night, as Nigeria’s Super Falcons powered to a commanding victory.
Copper Queens boss Häuptle did not mince words following the drubbing, conceding that her side were simply no match for the nine-time African champions.
The quarter-final clash at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium quickly turned into a nightmare for Zambia, as Nigeria asserted their dominance from the first whistle.
First-half goals from Osinachi Ohale, Esther Okoronkwo, and Chiwendu Ihezuo set the tone for a one-sided affair, before second-half strikes by Tosin Demehin and Folashade Ijamilusi completed the rout.
Nora Häuptle, who was super-confident ahead of the clash, watched on as her hapless girls struggled to contain the former champions.
“Very clear loss for us,” Häuptle said at the post-match press conference.
“Congratulations to Nigeria for the well-deserved victory. I think today we need to accept that Nigeria was better than us. Today none of us has been on top. Today none of our players has been top, neither me as coach.
“We have also seen that, physically, we have seen that they are not on the same level. We need to accept.”
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Zambia, powered by the striking duo of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, were seen as dark horses for the tournament, after scoring six goals and losing none of their three group games. However, the Copper Queens' quarterfinal exit is a stark reminder of the gulf that still exists between the continent’s emerging powers and its established elite.
It also marks a disappointing outing for Häuptle, who only recently took charge of the Zambian team after a spell with Ghana’s women’s national side.
Meanwhile, nine-time WAFCON winners Nigeria march confidently into the semi-finals, where they will face the winner of Saturday’s tie between South Africa and Senegal.
With their fluid attacking display and defensive solidity on show again, the Super Falcons look well on course to challenge for a record-extending tenth African title.
Elsewhere, host nation Morocco progressed with a 3-1 victory over Mali and await the winner of Ghana vs Algeria in the other semi-final pairing.
