Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has said Nigeria’s players were prepared to die on the pitch rather than suffer back-to-back defeats at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Ajibade said this when speaking on their second group game as the 10-time African champions fought despite a red card to record a vital 1-0 win over Zambia in Morocco.

Nigeria’s title defence had been hanging by a thread following a shock 3-2 opening defeat to tournament debutants Malawi, leaving Justine Madugu’s side under intense pressure heading into the Zambia fixture.

Their task became even tougher just before halftime when defender Oluwatosin Demehin was sent off for bringing down Zambia captain Barbra Banda, forcing the Super Falcons to play with 10 women for more than half of the contest.

Asisat Oshoala’s eighth-minute strike proved enough to see off Zambia’s attacking duo of Banda and Rachael Kundananji, as Nigeria held on to record their first win and first clean sheet of the tournament.

Speaking after the match, Ajibade said the players understood there was no room for relaxation after the Malawi setback.

“I’m good. The Lord is my strength. I’m good,” she said.

“Well, not from the anger of the Malawi game. We knew that we just had to win. It’s either we die on that pitch, you know. So we’re playing with every energy, the strength, the spirit within us to win this game. So there’s no time to relax,” she added.

The Nigeria captain also revealed that her faith carried her through the moment Demehin was dismissed, insisting she was not worried despite Nigeria being reduced to 10 players against one of the continent’s most dangerous attacking sides.

“Honestly, I wasn’t worried. I was going onto the pitch with the word of God because I knew when God said He’s going to help us, so I held on to God’s word,” she said.

“When that red card came in, you know sometimes God does not do things in a very easy way. He does it in a way that everyone would know that He’s the one in charge and He takes all the glory in His hand,” Ajibade added.

Zambia piled on the pressure in the second half, but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced another assured display while the Nigerian backline held firm to protect Oshoala’s goal.

Ajibade said there was never a moment of panic within the camp, insisting the players always believed they would get the job done.

The victory has revived Nigeria’s hopes of progressing from the group, with a decisive final match against Egypt on Wednesday still to come. The Super Falcons, chasing a record-extending 11th WAFCON title, need at least a draw against the Pharaohs to guarantee their place in the knockout stage. (Sunday PUNCH)

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