Nigeria thrash Zambia to book semi spot

Two goals by Ugochi Oparanozie and one each by Ngozi Okobi, Osinachi Ohale, Asisat Oshoala and Perpetua Nkwochu sealed their second victory of the tournament which put them at the top of Group A.

It was one way traffic from the start as Nigeria opened their account after only two minutes, when Ngozi Okobi stabbed the ball into the net after Zambia’s keeper Hazel Nali fumbled a free kick by Ngozi Ebere.

Three minutes later it was 2-0 after a near identical goal, with Ohale heading in another free kick by Obere.

Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure with Oparanozie and Oshoala coming close, before Oparanozie made it 3-0 from the penalty spot on 26 minutes after a handball in the box.

Kabange Mupopo missed a great chance for Zambia when she shot wide in front of goal on 33 minutes and six minutes later Zambia’s woes piled up when Grace Zulu was sent off after picking up a second yellow card.

Nigeria continued to dominate in the second half as Oshoala and Nwabuoku Chiedu both came close to scoring, before Oshoala finally found the target on 65 minutes when she headed in from a corner.

Oparanozie scored her second goal on 81 minutes when she chipped the ball over Zambia’s keeper, while substitute Perpetua Nkwochu made it 6-0 on 85 minutes when she curled in a great shot just inside the box.

Nigerian defender Ngozi Ebere won the Player of the Match award.