By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE  –
Zambia 0 Nigeria 6
ZAMBIA yesterday bowed out of the ongoing TN Mobile 2014 Africa Women Championship (AWC) after suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of six-time champions, Nigeria in a one-sided Group A match at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek.
The result saw the Super Falcons become the first team at the competition to book a place in the semi-finals as the Shepolopolo, who finished with 10 players, wait to play for pride in their final group game against Ivory Coast on Saturday.
Zambia looked an average side from the onset as they were unsettled by two quick goals in the opening five minutes with Sonya Okobi and Osinachi Ohale scoring in the second and fifth minutes respectively to put the Falcons in the driving seat.
The Nigerians kept mounting pressure on the Shepolopolo backline and Moroccan referee El Harkaoui awarded them a 26th minute penalty after Misozi Zulu handled the ball in the box and Desire Oparanozie made no mistake when she converted the spot kick.
Kabange Mupopo had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit in the 32nd minute but drove wide with only goalkeeper Precious Dede to beat as the game.
Zambia’s troubles worsened after Grace Zulu was shown a second yellow card on 39 minutes for a crude challenge on Oparanozie as the game went into recess with the Shepolopolo trailing.
Nigeria would have scored more goals had it not been for goalkeeper Hazel Nali’s outstanding saves.
In the second half, coach Charles Bwale introduced Esther Mukwasa for Susan Banda but the change did not yield positive results as Asisat Oshoala headed in Ngozi Ebere’s corner on 65 minutes before Oparanozie tapped in from close range to make it 5-0.
Miriam Katamanda replaced Nali, who was stretched off after picking up an injury but four minutes later, 38-year –old Perpetua Nkwocha put the icing on the cake with a 86th minute strike to send the Shepolopolo home.
In the opening Group A match at the weekend, Zambia lost to Namibia 2-0.