Oshoala, Ajibade Strike as Super Falcons Edge Black Queens in WAFCON Warm-Up
Nigeria’s Super Falcons wrapped up their preparations for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in style with a commanding 3–1 victory over regional rivals Ghana in a friendly encounter at the Lanoria Sports Complex in Casablanca on Sunday.
The warm-up clash marked the final test for both teams ahead of the continental showdown set to kick off on July 5 in Morocco.
Head coach Justin Madugu fielded a strong starting XI for the Falcons, with top stars Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Deborah Abiodun leading the charge. Tochukwu Oluehi stood in goal for Chiamaka Nnadozie, while Osinachi Ohale, Tosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie, and Ashleigh Plumptre formed the defensive line.
After a goalless draw with Portugal in their previous outing, the Falcons entered the tie full of confidence. The opening half-hour was tightly contested, with neither side able to carve out clear-cut opportunities.
However, in the 34th minute, Nigeria opened the scoring when Chinwendu Ihezuo’s strike took a heavy deflection off a Ghanaian defender and rolled into the net. Although initially appearing to be an own goal, the effort was later awarded to Ihezuo as the original shot was on target.
The Super Falcons doubled their lead on the stroke of halftime after being awarded a penalty for a foul in the box. Oshoala stepped up and coolly converted, sending the Ghanaian goalkeeper Cynthia wrong-footed for a 2–0 lead at the break.
Nigeria resumed the second half with sustained pressure, and just six minutes in, Ajibade made it 3–0. The Atlético Madrid star latched onto a fluid team move and buried a low shot into the corner, extending Nigeria’s dominance.
Ghana appeared to respond moments later when Evelyn Badu found the net, but her effort was ruled out for offside.
The Black Queens finally got on the scoresheet in the 88th minute through Alice Kusi, who converted a late penalty following a foul in the Nigerian area. However, it proved to be only a consolation as Nigeria comfortably closed out the match.
The win serves as a morale booster for the nine-time African champions ahead of their WAFCON opener against Tunisia on Sunday.
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