AWCON 2018: Super Falcons Of Nigeria Thrash Helpless Zambia 4-0
Nigeria’s Super Falcons revived their hopes of qualifying from Group B of African Women’s Cup Of Nations (AWCON) 2018 tournament in Ghana by recording their first win of the competition after defeating the helpless Shepoloplo of Zambia 4-0 at the Cape Coast Stadium on Wednesday despite missing an avalanche of goal scoring opportunities.
A first-half strike by Desire Oparanozie after she received a square pass from the hard working Francisca Ordega on the left flank, ensured that Nigeria went into the break with a lead.
Second half goals from the woman of the match Francisca Ordega, Rasheedat Ajibade and Amarachi Okoronkwo sealed a comprehensive win for the Super Falcons at the AWCON tournament following a disappointing 1-0 loss to Bayana Bayana of South Africa in their opening Group B game on Sunday.
The Super Falcons started Wednesday’s game very eager to score an early goal to calm frayed nerves. However, their passes and coordination in the opponent’s final third left much to be desired as the Zambian team were resolute in defending.
The first real chance of the match came the way of Asisat Oshoala in the 8th minute and her low drive was easily gathered by the Zambian goal tender Hazel Nali. The Super Falcons dictated play and dominated possession but failed woefully to punish their opponent.
The Super Falcons broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute after Francisca Ordega raced down the left flank before releasing Desire Oparanozie who fired into the net from close range.
On resumption of the second half, Asisat Oshoala and Desire Oparanozie missed lots of goal scoring chances that would have taken the match beyond the reach of the Zambians. However, in the 69th minute, Francisca Ordega curled in a rebound after the shot from Desire Oparanoize was parried into her path to double the lead for the tournament defending Champion.
Rashidat Ajibade who replaced Oparanoize in the 70th minute added the third goal for Nigeria in the 75th minute with a thunderous strike which ricocheted off the crossbar and into the net to give Thomas Dennerby’s side a well-deserved three-goal cushion.
Amarachi Okoronkwo added some gloss to the scoreline by grabbing the fourth goal for the Super Falcons, the win was the first for the Super Falcons of Nigeria at the 2018 AWCON. Nigeria’s next match is against Equatorial Guinea on Saturday 24th November 2018 and kickoff time is 5 pm.
