Super Falcons manager Randy Waldrum has praised Jennifer Echegini who scored her first international goal in the 3-0 friendly win over 2023 Women’s World Cup co-hosts New Zealand on Tuesday.
It was a game the nine-time African champions dominated from start to finish with Ononme Ebi and Desire Oparanozie also adding their names on the score sheet.
Echegini scored the second goal of the game shortly after the start of the second half, connecting with Michelle Alozie’s cross to fire in from close range.
Echegini – who plays for the University of Florida in the United States – made her debut for the national team against Canada last April and has been impressive lately, providing assists for Asisat Oshoala’s goals against Costa Rica in February and Haiti last Friday.
Waldrum stated Echegini’s first international goal is something she will never forget.
“The most exciting thing about that is anytime a player plays for the country and they get their first goal, it’s the one they always remember, and the good thing about that is the buildup to that goal was absolutely brilliant,” Waldrum said.
“The interplay, the cross, and the finish is world-class. She [Echegini] will remember that goal for a long time. But she has really come up in the last year since we first brought her to Canada, and she just continues to get better and better. I was really happy for her because she finally found the back of the net.”
????️Our head coach @CoachWaldrum comments on our third win in a row after today's comprehensive 3-0 victory over New Zealand ???????? in Antalya, Turkey ????#SoarSuperFalcons| #NGANZL #FIFAWWCprep| #TeamNigeria pic.twitter.com/qYNEdjup4h
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) April 11, 2023
The Super Falcons have now won three games in a row after going without a win in seven games previously, which will give them confidence as they prepare for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July.
