Uchenna Kanu was the heroine as the Super Falcons of Nigeria beat Ghana 2-0 in the first leg of their 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers.
The Randy Waldrum’s girls bounced back from their disappointing 4-2 loss to South Africa in the final of the Aisha Buhari Cup last month with the victory on Wednesday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos.
The Falcons imposed themselves in the game from the beginning, allowing the Black Queens little opportunities for productivity.
The domination birthed a much-deserved goal in the 20th minute after an alerted Kanu reacted well in the 18 yards and crafted out a space for herself to put Nigeria ahead with a brilliant header.
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It was deja-vu for the Linkopings FC striker just five minutes later as she rose highest in the box yet again to guide home a brilliant delivery from Toni Payne off a quickly taken freekick.
It was a much-needed goal that cushioned the Falcons’ lead, and it also gave them an advantage ahead of the second leg.
The reverse fixture will be played in Accra on Sunday.
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The tie winner will join Morocco and ten other countries for the tournament next year, serving as the qualifiers for the 2023 FIFA Women World Cup billed to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
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