The Super Falcons of Nigeria thrashed Cape Verde 5-0 in the first leg of the final round of qualifiers for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Braces from Uchenna Kanu and Esther Okoronkwo and a first-half strike from Gift Monday emphasised the Falcons’ superiority in the game played at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, on Thursday.
Due to the continued absence of Randy Waldrum, Falcons head coach, Madugu Justine, an assistant coach, took control of the team for the game. The match was the third consecutive game with Madugu in charge of the Falcons.
The change in technical personnel failed to blunt the effectiveness of the Nigerians, and they scored their first goal in the seventh minute through a tap-in from Kanu.
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In the 25th minute, Gift doubled the lead from a goalmouth scramble before Kanu completed her brace with a shot that rattled into the net off the crossbar.
Okoronkwo then added the fourth goal in the second half after she guided a cross from Esther Akudo into the net. The Tenerife FC striker got her brace shortly after with another simple finish off Rofiat Imuran’s cross.
The best player on the pitch was Deborah Abiodun, playing her first game for Nigeria since the 2023 Women’s World Cup. She was a dominant figure in the midfield, winning tackles and linking defence and attack together effectively throughout the game. Her virtuoso performance earned her rapturous applause from the spectators in the stadium.
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Nigeria will travel for the encounter’s return leg in Praia on December 5. A favourable result will secure the Falcons’ ticket to 2024 WAFCON, billed to be hosted by Morocco.
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