Super Falcons beat Tunisia 3-0 as race for 10th title begins
Super Falcons’ quest for a 10th African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) title began, yesterday, with a 3-0 spanking of their Tunisian counterparts in their opening game.
Playing at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, the Nigerians were hoping to overcome their semifinal exit last time out in 2022. And they set out to do just that with the opening goal in the third minute through Assisat Oshoala, who connected with an Omorinsola Babajide’s well-delivered freekick to make hay.
Not done with the lone goal lead, the girls ramped up the pressure and were duly rewarded in the 45th minute of the first half, as Babajide turned goal scorer, beating the Tunisian goalkeeper for the second.
Nigeria had chances to put the game to bed, but couldn’t convert, and returnee Ashleigh Plumptre tried her luck with a floating strike from distance, but the Tunisian goalkeeper managed to tip the ball over the bar.
The sustained pressure, however, paid off in the 80th minute when Chinwendu Ihezuo found the bottom corner with a composed left-footed finish to extend the lead.
The nine-time African champions will face Botswana in their next group fixture on Wednesday.
