Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo has vowed that Nigeria will deliver an improved performance when they face Zambia in their second Group C match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The defending champions suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to debutants Malawi on Tuesday in Rabat and now need a victory on Saturday to keep their qualification hopes on track.
Okoronkwo and Rasheedat Ajibade scored late goals in reply, but it was not enough after Malawi’s Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga exploited the Nigerian defence on the counter.
Reflecting on the loss, Okoronkwo admitted the team lacked intensity and said lessons would be learned.
“I think next game we’re going to come back; we have to come out better than we did,” she said. “This game came out a little flat, but it is what it is. We learned, we’re going to go back and learn our lesson and fix where we need to, so we can come back better in the next game.”
She also addressed a disputed penalty appeal but chose not to criticise the officials.
“I don’t know what the referee saw, but I think it definitely should have been looked at. Still, it is what it is. I didn’t get it, so I’m not going to complain about it,” Okoronkwo added.
Zambia sit top of Group C after a 6-0 thrashing of Egypt. A defeat for Nigeria against the Copper Queens would leave their hopes hanging ahead of the final group match against Egypt.
