Rasheedat Ajibade and Ashlegh Plumptre (both extreme right) celebrate with teammates in Super Falcons 3-0 victory over Tunisia
The Super Falcons of Nigeria advanced into the semi-final stage of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations WAFCON following a 5-0 win over Zambia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca, on Friday.
Three first half goals from Osinachi Ohale, Esther Okoronkwo, and Chinwendu Ihezuo led the Falcons to a clinical victory against a Zambia side that huffed and puffed throughout the entertaining encounter.
Oluwatosin Demehin and Folashade Ijamilusi scored the other goals that completed the five-star win.
Victory avenges the Super Falcons’ 1-0 loss to the Copper Queens in their third place match at WAFCON 2022.
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Justin Madugu, Falcons coach, started an unfamiliar front three of Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Ihezuo, and they justified their starting berths against the dangerous Copper Queens who scored more than their opponents in the group stage.
The Falcons stunned the pacey Zambians with the opener on two minutes, with Ohale finding herself in the right place and time to nod home a header from Okoronkwo’s deep free kick for 1-0.
Zambia mounted an immediate response but Barbra Banda’s best efforts were futile, and the Falcons made them pay on 33 minutes through Okoronkwo.
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The forward chested down Rasheedat Ajibade’s cross before slicing her shot into the bottom corner for 2-0.
The Falcons then punished a defensive mistake for the third goal on the stroke of halftime.
Ihezuo was the beneficiary of a backward header and hesitant defending that allowed the Pachuca forward slot beyond a helpless goalkeeper for her third goal of the tournament, and 3-0 to Nigeria at halftime.
The Shepolopolo continued to show more bite after the break but could not break down the impenetrable Falcons defence.
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Zambia, however, conceded a fourth on 68 minutes from another free-kick. Demehin was the latest beneficiary, converting Okoronkwo’s delivery for 4-0.
There was still time for Ijamilusi to finish off a team move, guiding home Ajibade’s cross from two yards out to complete the rout.
The Super Falcons also defeat Zambia with four or more goals for the third time, adding to previous 6-0 and 4-0 victories in 2014 and 2018 respectively.
Victory also continued Super Falcons’ impressive record of reaching the semi-final stage of every WAFCON tournament.
The Super Falcons will face either South Africa or Senegal in the semi-final match on July 22.
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