Izuchukwu Okosi
Nigeria’s women’s national team, Super Falcons, Tuesday evening defeated the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 2-0 in the preparatory game ahead of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The game was billed to be two-legged fixtures but due to logistics issues were reduced to a one-off contest.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelRasheedat Ajibade who captained the team scored both goals for the nine-time African champions at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex Abeokuta.
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The Falcons began the game sprightly and dominated the game for large spells. The Nigerian ladies were unable to break down the deep-lying Cameroonians. However Ajibade broke the deadlock 28 minutes into the game when she was fouled inside the box.
The forward took the penalty kick herself for the opener.
The Atletico Femin star came close to doubling the lead while Ifeoma Onumonu was also denied by the Lionesses. Two minutes before the half time break, Ajibade made it 2-0 with a fine finish after she was assisted by Runsola Babajide.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was impressive in goal and made some elastic saves to keep the visitors at bay. The victory is the Falcons’ 15th in 21 matches against the Cameroonians.
Nigeria will campaign at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco hoping to win their 10th title.
Several African teams are involved in international friendlies until mid June ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Super Falcons head coach, Justin Madugu, was without five-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year winner, Asisat Oshoala.
Prior to the friendly against Cameroon, there was understandable panic that the Falcons have not had the best of preparations for the tournament in Morocco.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will hold July 5-26.
In Europe, the UEFA Nations League games are ongoing as at the time of this report with a couple of African-born players in action for their adopted nations.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
