Audio By Carbonatix
Big wins for holders Nigeria and South Africa mean Group B at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations will be decided by the final games on Saturday.
Nigeria got their title defence back on track with a 4-0 win over Zambia in the first fixture on Wednesday.
South Africa then thrashed former winners Equatorial Guinea 7-1.
Despite conceding 12 goals in two games, Equatorial Guinea still have a mathematical chance of making the semi-finals.
If they can beat Nigeria on Saturday and South Africa beat local rivals Zambia they will progress.
But South Africa know they need just a point from that game if they are to advance to the last four.
Nigeria's Super Falcons were under pressure having lost their opening Group B game 1-0 to South Africa on Sunday.
Those nerves were settled when Desire Oparanozie opened the scoring just before half-time.
Before that goal the Super Falcons had found it hard to break down a stubborn Zambian defence.
It was the boost Nigeria needed who started off the second half at a fast pace.
With Francisca Ordega, Rasheedat Ajibade and Amarachi Okoronkwo all scoring in the second half to give the defending champions the victory.
He margin of victory should have been more but the usually reliable Asisat Osoala, who as the tournament's top goal scorer two years ago failing to make the most of three one-on-one chances against Zambia's goalkeeper in the space of three minutes.
South Africa looked in control of their game against Equatorial Guinea when after 19 minutes Linda Motlhalo scored from the penalty spot and moments later Mpumi Nyandeni added a second.
Equatorial Guinea, who have twice been crowned African champions, pulled one back against the run of play just before half-time through Elena Nkuandum.
It proved to be false hope though as Banyana Banyana fired home five unanswered goals in the second half.
First to strike was Refiloe Jane before two from Christine Thembi Kgatlana in as many minutes Amanda Mthandi made it six with the rout completed by Jermaine Seoposenwe.
The results mean that mathematically all four teams have a chance of reaching the last four or being knocked on Saturday.
The top three at the tournament all clinch places at the World Cup in France next year, although Equatorial Guinea are not eligible for one of those places following a Fifa ban on them for using ineligible players in qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Latest Stories
-
Cape Verde’s Lopes Cabral’s goal wins Goal of the Tournament at 2026 World Cup
1 minute -
GWL MD inspects water plants as GH¢8.4m GoldBod rehabilitation project begins
12 minutes -
Chief of Staff credits family, mentors and Kwahu traditional leaders for successful PhD journey
17 minutes -
No court sittings in Greater Accra on July 28 and 31 as Judiciary marks Supreme Court’s 150th anniversary
24 minutes -
Illegal miners operate near Mpohor Fiase police station as communities plead for gov’t intervention
25 minutes -
Foreign Affairs Ministry approves 623 free passport replacements for June 29 flood victims
30 minutes -
Vice President urges Ghanaian diaspora to invest in value addition, help transform economy
33 minutes -
NPP’s ‘future is pregnant’ slogan doesn’t scare us — NEIP CEO
35 minutes -
GIADEC dismisses reports linking Ibrahim Mahama to VALCO acquisition
36 minutes -
272 Ghanaians recruited into Russia-Ukraine war since 2022, about 55 dead – Ablakwa
36 minutes -
Ga Mantse pays courtesy call on GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi
39 minutes -
Parliamentary Committee commends NPA for strengthening Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector
52 minutes -
Slow rollout, lack of jobs drag down ratings for 24-hour economy, Women’s Bank — Mussa Dankwah
52 minutes -
Police arrest two suspects over Abesewa forest guard shooting and forest destruction
53 minutes -
Germany promises security overhaul after deadly Berlin Pride attack
58 minutes