WAFCON 2024: Super Falcons claim comfortable win over Tunisia in group opener

Ajibade scores brace as Super Falcons edge Cameroon in friendly in Abeokuta

Nigeria’s Super Falcons got off to a winning start at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Sunday, Afrosport reports.

The nine-time African champions cruised to a 3-0 victory against Tunisia in their opening game at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

Goals from Asisat Oshoala, Omorinsola Babajide and substitute Chiwendu Ihezuo handed Justine Madugu’s side all available points.

Oshoala, who paid tribute to late Nigeria international Peter Rufai with his name inscribed on her wristband, opened the scoring inside four minutes for the Super Falcons. The Bay FC forward got on the end of a free kick from Babajide before heading the ball home past goalkeeper Soulayma Jobrani.

Deborah Abiodun came close to doubling Nigeria’s lead, but her effort went just wide off the post after gliding through the Tunisian defence.

Babajide finally made it two for the Super Falcons in first-half stoppage time after a video assistant referee (VAR) review. She slotted the ball into the bottom corner before hitting Diogo Jota’s famous celebration, paying tribute to the late Liverpool forward, who died in a car accident on Thursday.

Madugu opted to make a triple change before the second half restart, and the trio of Ihezuo, Christy Ucheibe, and Esther Okoronkwo came on for Oshoala, Abiodun, and Babajide, respectively.

The Falcons continued their dominance in the second period, and Saudi-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre came close to registering her name on the scoresheet, but her effort was denied by Jobrani’s acrobatic save.

The Carthage Eagles were handed a lifeline with a penalty following a foul by Osinachi Ohale, but the referee overturned the call after a VAR review showed a foul in the buildup to the challenge.

Ihezuo scored Nigeria’s third goal in the 84th minute, with the Pachuca forward placing the ball into the bottom corner after Okoronkwo’s header found her unmarked in the box.

Nigeria controlled possession all game long, ensuring Tunisia failed to register a single shot on target as goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie had little to do.

The Super Falcons now sit at the top of Group B and await the result of the other group game between Algeria and Botswana.

Nigeria will take on the Mares of Botswana in their next group game on Thursday, 10 July, while Tunisia will battle Algeria’s Green Ladies in their next match.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top Stories