WAFCON 2022: Super Falcons restore hope with victory over Botswana
With Thursday's 2-0 win, the Super Falcons have move up to the second spot in Group C
The Nigeria national women’s team, the Super Falcons are back to winning ways after Monday's loss to South Africa.
Coach Randy Waldrum's side Thursday night at the Moulay Hassan FUS, Rabat Stadium battled to a 2-0 win over Botswana to get their campaign at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations back on track.
A goal in the first half by Ifeoma Onumonu and another by Christy Ucheibe a few minutes into the second 45 minutes saw the Super Falcons soaring to victory
In the 26th minute, Nigeria could have been two goals up when Ordega found Toni Payne with a stylish pass and the defender sent the ball into the box, only for the southern Africans to clear their lines.
Two minutes later, Onumonu failed to control in good time a good pass by Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene.
Botswana had their own song in the half, with Tholakele rattling goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie from a 22-yard free-kick in the 31st minute and then shooting straight at the Nigerian goal-tender six minutes later.
Substitute Christy Ucheibe, with her first touch of the ball, scored Nigeria’s second goal in the 48th minute when she rose highest in the box to nod home Toni Payne’s heaved effort from a corner kick.
Five minutes later, Ucheibe controlled and lashed slightly over the bar, and when Gift Monday and Regina Otu entered the fray in place of Ordega and Okobi-Okeoghene in the 63rd minute, Nigeria’s rejuvenation was unmistakable.
Onumonu had a couple more chances; Ayinde’s angled shot from 25 yards was punched away and; Uchenna Kanu’s shot was blocked as Nigeria pulled no punches in the fore.
The Super Falcons will on Sunday come up against their counterparts from Burundi, with a win certain to guarantee a place in the quarter-finals of the championship.
With Thursday's 2-0 win, the Super Falcons have move up to the second spot in Group C with three points ahead of Sunday’s final group game against Burundi.
Table-toppers South Africa who trashed Burundi 3-1 earlier on Thursday will be facing Bostwana also on Sunday.
