Woman of the Match Michelle Alozie says grit and unity carried the Super Falcons through a bruising battle with Zambia, as Nigeria fight to keep their WAFCON title defence alive.
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Super Falcons defender Michelle Alozie has praised Nigeria’s fighting spirit after the defending champions secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia, admitting the players had to dig deep to protect their slender lead after being reduced to 10 women.
Alozie, who was named Woman of the Match for her outstanding display, played a pivotal role as the Super Falcons bounced back from their opening defeat to Malawi to revive their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
A Gruelling Test Of Character
Speaking after the match, the defender described the contest as one of the toughest the team has faced, praising Zambia for their quality and relentless attacking threat. “Zambia have quality players, and they made life very difficult for us,” she said, adding that the team stayed together and defended as a unit until the final whistle. Fans following the Super Falcons’ push for the quarter-finals can also check fixtures and offers via the Bet9ja promotions page. (Betting advertisement, 18+ only)
Nigeria survived sustained second-half pressure despite playing a player short following Oluwatosin Demehin’s first-half dismissal, with Alozie producing a commanding performance at the heart of the defensive effort. She also appealed to supporters to remain patient and continue backing the team despite its mixed start to the tournament, insisting the squad will keep responding positively to whatever challenges come their way.
Brushing Off Outside Noise
Alozie also dismissed suggestions that criticism on social media has affected the squad, insisting the players have instead used the platforms to strengthen their bond off the pitch. Nigeria’s victory over Zambia has put the 10 time African champions back in control of their qualification hopes ahead of their final Group C fixture against Egypt on Wednesday, where a positive result would seal a place in the quarter-finals and keep alive their pursuit of a record extending 11th WAFCON title.
Did You Know?
- Michelle Alozie was born in Apple Valley, California, and chose to represent Nigeria over the United States at international level.
- She began her college career at Yale University before transferring to the University of Tennessee to continue her development.
- Off the pitch, Alozie balances her football career with cancer research work at Baylor College of Medicine.
- She scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner that sent Nigeria into the final of the 2024 WAFCON tournament.
- Alozie was named to the CAF Women’s Africa Best XI in 2023 in recognition of her performances for club and country.
- After winning the 2024 WAFCON title, she was honoured by President Bola Tinubu with the Officer of the Order of the Niger, alongside a cash reward and a three-bedroom apartment.
- She was traded from Houston Dash to Chicago Stars FC in December 2025, signing a three-year NWSL deal worth $40,000 in allocation money.
