A fourth minute strike by six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, steered the Super Falcons to a comfortable 3-0 victory over their Tunisian counterparts at the Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The win on Sunday at the Stade Larbi Zaouli will keep Mission X momentum alive as the nine-time champions aim for a 10th continental title.
Forward Oshoala came close to doubling the advantage in the 16th minute, but defender Norhene Bettoumi was alert and diverted the ball as the forward was set to pull the trigger from Toni Payne’s cross.
Two minutes into added time of the first period, Nigeria’s Rinsola Babajide packed enough power into her shot as she stormed past Tunisian Chaima Alabbassi and blasted past goalkeeper Salima Jabrani for Nigeria’s second of the evening.
Just before the break, Ashleigh Plumptre thought she had got Nigeria’s third off a header from Babajide’s corner kick, but her effort was disallowed.
In the second half, Plumptre, forever adventurous, rattled Jabrani with a sharp shot, and four minutes later, substitute Esther Okoronkwo’s sharp delivery begged for connection.
Osinachi Ohale missed from close range as Nigeria chased the ball in a melee from a free-kick in the 62nd minute.
At the other end, the veteran defender was fortunate not to be penalised after bringing down the lively Salma Zemzem in Nigeria’s vital area.
True to character, Okoronkwo bustled and hustled, and came pretty close with nine minutes left when she turned a defender and saw the ball hit the upfront from her shot.
Three minutes later, she was jumping for joy when her knockdown from Plumptre’s cross, found fellow substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo in the right place to slot the ball past Jabrani for Nigeria’s third.
In added time, Plumptre’s clever header almost got Jabrani befuddled, but there was still time for Zemzem to rattle goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie’s crossbar.
The victory handed the Super Falcons three points and momentary leadership of group B, ahead of the clash between Botswana and Algeria on Thursday and July 13 respectively. (NAN)
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