 campaign in style, securing a dominant 3-0 win){kind=link}
The Super Falcons of Nigeria kicked off their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign in style, securing a dominant 3-0 win over Tunisia in their Group B opener on Sunday at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco.
Chasing a record-extending 10th continental title, Justine Madugu side wasted no time in stamping their authority on the contest as they opened the scoring just four minutes in when star forward Asisat Oshoala latched onto a well-weighted free-kick from Rinsola Babajide. Oshoala’s effort took a slight deflection off Ashleigh Plumptre and crept over the line, leaving Tunisian goalkeeper Soulaima Jebrani wrong-footed.
The Super Falcons continued to dominate possession and chances, with the Tunisian backline stretched repeatedly. Their pressure paid off again just before the interval, in the first minute of stoppage time when Babajide pounced on a loose clearance on the edge of the penalty area, cutting inside, and fired low past Jebrani from a tight angle. The goal, initially checked by VAR for a potential offside in the build-up, was eventually confirmed — giving Nigeria a deserved two-goal cushion at halftime.
Tunisia struggled to gain a foothold in the match and have now gone five consecutive WAFCON games without finding the net. Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie had a quiet evening between the posts, with the Super Falcons’ backline marshalled effectively by veteran defenders Osinachi Ohale and Glory Ogbonna.
Nigeria wrapped up the victory in the 84th minute when substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo capitalized on poor marking in the Tunisian box to slot home a close-range finish, following a cushioned header from Plumptre. It was a well-deserved reward for Ihezuo, who brought added physicality to Nigeria’s attack after coming off the bench.
Earlier in the second half, Plumptre thought she had scored Nigeria’s third with a powerful header, but it was ruled out for a foul on Jebrani. Midfielders Halimatu Ayinde and Esther Okoronkwo also went close with long-range efforts, narrowly missing the target.
Tunisia’s best chance of the match came in the 67th minute when Salma Zemzem went down in the area under a challenge from Ohale. However, after a VAR review, Burundian referee Suavis Iratunga ruled that Zemzem had committed a foul in the buildup, dismissing the penalty claims.
The win sees Nigeria go top of Group B with three points, ahead of Algeria and Botswana, who were set to clash later on Sunday.
The Super Falcons will next face Botswana on Thursday, July 11, while Tunisia will aim to bounce back against Algeria in their second group fixture.