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As Oshoala, Babajide Pay Tribute to Yekini, Jota
- Safiu Kehinde
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have kicked off the 2024 Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign on brighter note as they cruised past Tunisia with 3-0 win.
A fourth minute strike by six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, steered the Super Falcons forward in their for a tenth WAFCON title, dubbed Mission X, in the tournament’s modern history.
Oshoala, who paid tribute to late Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, with his name written on her wrist band, came close to doubling the advantage in the 16th minute at Morocco’s Stade Larbi Zaouli on Sunday.
Her effort was however denied by Tunisian defender, Norhene Bettoumi, who 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.
In celebrating her goal, Babajide imitated Diogo Jota’s gaming celebration in tribute to the late Liverpool and Portuguese player who died in a ghastly car crash on Friday.
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.