Nigeria became the first African country to win a match at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 after their 3-2 victory over Australia on Thursday.
Goals from Uchenna Kanu, Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala with a brace of assists from Rasheedat Ajibade helped the Super Falcons move top of Group B with a superior goal difference above Canada, even though they are level on four points after two matches.
Australia dominated the opening minutes of the game but it was a dramatic end to the first-half with two late goals from both teams.
Emily van Egmond gave the Matildas the early in the first minute of stoppage but Uchenna Kanu cancelled out the opener with a right-footed strike in the sixth minute of added time.
The Super Falcons started finding their foot in the game after the restart with Ifeoma Onumonu and Kanu making way for Esther Okoronkwo and Oshoala in the 63rd minute.
Two minutes later, Ohale connected to another assist from Ajibade to put the 11-time African champions, though she had to be treated for a reckless challenge in the buildup.
Nigeria stretched their lead in the 72nd minute after taking advantage of a defensive slip-up and put the ball into an empty net.
The goal made Oshoala the first African player to score in three editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup while 40-year-old Onome Ebi was later introduced on the stroke of full-time, to become the first African to play in six editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
They were cruising to a two-goal lead until Alanna Kennedy pulled a goal back for the Matildas but it was not enough for them to avoid defeat.
The Super Falcons will face already eliminated Republic of Ireland for their final Group B game on Monday, while New Zealand will battle Canada in the other group fixture on the same day.
