…Nigeria Expected to Top Group.
…Zambia May Make Second Spot.
The worry of Group C qualifiers at the 14th WAFCON2026 in Morocco is not about the group leader who indisputable are the Super Falcons of Nigeria but who takes the 2nd spot between Copper Queens of Zambia and the Cleopatras of Egypt.
Zambia is rated 65 in the world, have appeared 5 times at the tournament and won the Bronze in 2022, made quarterfinals at the last tournament and lost at group stage twice in 2016 and 2020.
Egypt is rated 99 in the world, are in their 3rd appearances but never went beyond group stages at the first edition in Abeokuta, Nigeria and in 2016.
Their head to head meetings might give that 2nd spot to the Copper Queens who won on the two occasions they met and scored all the two goals recorded in both encounters. Though both were friendly matches, Zambia won on 23rd September 2016 by a lone goal and won again two days later by same margin.
Let us take the fixtures in group C before proceeding. The group opens with the deciding group match Zambia vs Egypt on Tuesday 28th July at Rabat Olympic Stadium by 6pm and at 9pm same day, Nigeria’s will play against Malawi at Al Medina Stadium.
The Day 2 group games will see Egypt line up against Malawi on Saturday 1st August at 6pm at Moulay El Hassan Stadium after which Nigeria will fight nearest rival Zambia at 9pm at Medina Stadium.
Day 3 by which a team may be standing at the exit door, will have the two group matches played simultaneously at 9pm on Wednesday 5th August. Egypt versus Nigeria and Malawi versus Zambia. Do not forget there will be no allowance for lucky loser as only two teams from each group will go and play the quarterfinals.
Back to the second team likely to qualify, Zambia that is from COSAFA region with Malawi may have their chances reduced by the debutante Scorchers of Malawi. They are familiar with each other, have played themselves 10 times. Each won 4 times and there were 2 draws. A total 35 goals were scored in their meetings and Zambia scored 21. That could be goal scoring advantage to Zambia.
They met once at WAFCON on 26th October 2021which Zambia won 3-2. Their were three matches last year 2025 all friendlies which Zambia won 2-0 on 23rd February; lost 2-3 on 25th February and on 30th November both played 1-1. So Zambia vs Malawi result could be dicey but on current form Zambia should win.
Egypt had played world ranked 153 Malawi 5 times with Malawi running away with one victory and 3 loses and Egypt scoring 7 of the 10 goals scored meaning that Egypt is more superior. Their only WAFCON meeting of 24th March 2023 Egypt won 2-0; the only victory of Malawi was a world cup qualifier of 14th June 2008 which they won by a lone goal and on 22nd June of same year Egypt beat them 2-0 in the 2nd leg; in a friendly of 29th December 2009 they drew 1-1 but Egypt won the friendly match of 8th June 2015 by 2-1. Egypt looks a better team.
Egypt never met Nigeria so they will seek a narrow loss or surprise draw on the last group game. Zambia will need to play tougher against Nigeria if they lose or play a draw with Egypt in their first game. Nigeria ranked 36th in the world and Zambia played themselves 4 times with Nigeria winning thrice and Zambia also earning a win but in 16 goals scored Nigeria scored 15.
Also Read:14th WAFCON2026 Begins on Sunday, Champs, Nigeria as Team to Beat.
Chai, Nigeria may want to deliberately whip them silly for vengeance as that only Zambia victory was at the 3rd place match of 22nd July 2022 when Zambia defeated Nigeria by a lone goal to win the Bronze. It was an own goal by Afrca’s safest hands, Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie in the 29th minute. Two players including captain Rasheedat Ajibade were red carded in the semifinal and couldn’t play for Bronze. On 14th October 2016 at WAFCON Nigeria taught Zambia football in 6-0 win; at WAFCON of 21st November 2018 at the group stage like 2016 Nigeria whipped Zambia 4-0. On Nigeria’s way to win her 10th title Zambia was demolished 5-0 at the quarterfinal stage. Zambia will be soaked in pepper water by Nigeria.
Nigeria have been at the final tournament 14 times now, won the title record 10 times, won Bronze in 2008 and placed 4th in 2012 as well as 2022. Always ending up in Podium finish.
A look through the periscope and perhaps football microscope on Group C will show Nigeria topping the group and Zambia through hardship take the second spot. The tournament is ahead of us to enjoy.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
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