The Super Falcons of Nigeria recorded a 3-0 win over 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosts New Zealand in an international friendly match at Mardan Stadium in Antalya on Tuesday afternoon.
The 11-time African champions came into the game on the back of a 2-1 win over Haiti at the Emir Sports Complex also in the Turkish city of Antalya and looked threatening from kick-off.
Five-time African footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala was close to giving the Falcons the lead just past the half-hour mark but her effort was deflected out. The resultant corner was however headed in by veteran captain Onome Ebi.
The Super Falcons doubled their lead at the start of the second half courtesy of Jennifer Echegini who scored with a simple tap-in. The West African giants were in control of the match and still had room for one more goal in injury-time through substitute Desire Oparanozie with an easy finish.
FULL TIME! in Antalya ????
????????Nigeria 3-0 New Zealand ????????
⚽@EBIONOME 34'
⚽ Jennifer Echegini 48'
⚽ @oparanozie9 94'We wrapped up in styles our international camp in Antalya ????#SoarSuperFalcons| #NGANZL| #TeamNigeria| #FIFAWWCPrep @thenff
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) April 11, 2023
Randy Waldrum’s ladies have now recorded three wins in a row for the first time since the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations where they defeated Botswana and Burundi in their final group stage games and Cameroon in the quarter-finals.
The victory will serve as a morale boost for the Nigerian ladies ahead of the World Cup in July where they will take on co-hosts Australia, the Republic of Ireland and Canada in Group B.
For New Zealand, they have now played 10 games (D2 L8) without a win since a 2-1 victory over the Philippines last September.
The Ferns are paired in Group A of the Women’s World Cup against Norway, Switzerland and the Philippines.
