NSL at WAFCON: Badu Denied, Okoronkwo Rested as Knockout Race Tightens
By Nii Wallace-Bruce
The opening round of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations showcased Northern Super League talent to a continental audience. Matchday 2 was about something different.
Rather than chasing first appearances, the league's representatives found themselves playing defined roles for their nations with vastly different objectives.
Esther Okoronkwo came on late as Nigeria navigated their way past a demanding opponent. Evelyn Badu nearly rescued Ghana before technology intervened.
Linda Owusu-Ansah was again trusted from the bench as the Black Queens searched for a breakthrough in the dying moments.
None completed 90 minutes, but all three remain firmly in the picture as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
Okoronkwo Helps Nigeria Edge Closer to Quarter-Finals
Nigeria's 1-0 victory over Zambia was enough to keep the Super Falcons alive in the hunt for qualification.
After starting against Malawi, AFC Toronto forward Esther Okoronkwo was introduced from the bench, playing the final seven minutes as Nigeria, reduced to 10 players, protected the result. Okoronkwo completed her assignment with hold-up play, movement in transition, and set-piece duties.
After the game, she expressed support for her teammate, Chicago Stars’ Michelle Alozie, whose defensive efforts preserved a clean sheet for the Super Falcons.
It was a different assignment from Matchday 1, but perhaps a more telling one.
Nigeria can still finish anywhere from first to third in the group, making the meeting with Egypt pivotal.
Victory over Zambia also handed the Super Falcons an important head-to-head advantage should teams finish level on points.
If Matchday 2 was about conservation rather than contribution, it could leave Okoronkwo well placed to play a larger role against Egypt — and, should Nigeria advance, beyond.
Esther Okoronkwo helped Nigeria’s Super Falcons soar back into the quarter-final calculations (Photo credit: Abdul Razak Mahmud)
VAR Heartbreak For Badu as Ghana Face Decisive Finale
Ghana's tournament remains delicately balanced after a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon, but the scoreline only tells part of Evelyn Badu's afternoon.
Prior to the match, Badu spoke of embracing the moment and taking the opportunities that came to her and her teammates.
The Montréal Roses midfielder entered at halftime and immediately gave Ghana greater thrust. Badu almost changed the game twice.
First, Benfica’s Michaely Bihina denied her from close range before VAR ruled out what looked to be a deserved equaliser.
Instead of leaving with a point, Ghana were left empty-handed. The Black Queens dominated with 59% possession and the better of the chances.
However, Galatasaray forward Marie Manga’s penalty proved to be the difference in a tense encounter.
In the lead up to the game, Lars Kim Björkegren described Cameroon as a tough opponent. The Indomitable Lionesses kept their end of the bargain, dominating 50-50 duels and being a physical opponent, according to Björkegren post-match.
The equation is now straightforward for the Black Queens. Avoid defeat against Mali in the final group match and Ghana will secure progression.
Anything less leaves their fate uncertain. Despite the defeat, Badu remained upbeat about her team’s quality and ability to deliver in the next match.
Even without the goal, Badu's second-half performance offered another reminder of the qualities that made her one of the NSL's brightest attacking talents.
Ghana’s Evelyn Badu will be hoping that the ball bounces her team’s way in their final group match against Mali (Photo credit: Abdul Razak Mahmud)
Owusu-Ansah Earns Another Opportunity
Linda Owusu-Ansah made her second senior international appearance, entering late as Ghana searched desperately for an equaliser.
The AFC Toronto attacking midfielder earned her senior debut on Matchday 1, and another appearance suggests she is beginning to establish herself within the Black Queens setup amid the tournament's high stakes. After the game, Owusu-Ansah mentioned that the journey was not over for Ghana and that her team had another game to improve on this performance.
While her cameo offered limited opportunity to influence proceedings, successive appearances represent another important step in her international development.
Matchday Takeaway: Roles Are Becoming Clearer
Two matches into the tournament, a pattern is beginning to emerge.
As seen in the 2025 WAFCON tournament, Esther Okoronkwo remains a trusted option within a Super Falcons squad seeking to go back-to-back as winners.
Badu, meanwhile, is increasingly becoming Ghana's attacking spark from the bench.
Her disallowed goal was a reminder that fine margins can define international football, but also evidence that she is capable of changing matches with the minutes she is afforded.
For Owusu-Ansah, every appearance builds valuable experience at senior international level. Her opportunities remain limited, but they continue to arrive.
As WAFCON moves towards its decisive group-stage fixtures, Northern Super League players are no longer simply participating.
They are becoming part of the tournament's tactical plans.
Looking Ahead
The final round of group-stage fixtures could be the most significant yet for the NSL contingent.
The Super Falcons understand victory over Egypt and a positive result in Malawi-Zambia could secure top spot in their group and strengthen their path to the knockout rounds.
For Ghana, a win over Mali is likely required to extend the tournament for the Black Queens — and could once again put Badu and Owusu-Ansah in positions to shape the outcome.
Two matchdays into WAFCON, the Northern Super League's representatives are no longer simply gaining tournament experience. They're becoming players their national teams increasingly rely upon as the stakes rise.
Sources:
Lars Kim Björkegren, Ghana Head Coach, press conference, 1 August 2026
Lars Kim Björkegren, Ghana Head Coach, press conference, 2 August 2026
Evelyn Badu, Ghana midfielder, press conference, 1 August 2026
Esther Okoronkwo, Nigeria attacker, media scrum, 1 August 2026
Evelyn Badu, Ghana midfielder, media scrum, 2 August 2026
Linda Owusu-Ansah, Ghana midfielder, media scrum, 2 August 2026
Photo Credits:
Esther Okoronkwo, Abdul Razak Mahmud, 1 August 2026 - Photo courtesy of Abdul Razak Mahmud
Evelyn Badu, Abdul Razak Mahmud, 2 August 2026 - Photo courtesy of Abdul Razak Mahmud
All photos are used with permission. All rights reserved to the creator.
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