After the disappointing defeat against the Bayana Bayana of South Africa on Monday, the Super Falcons are back on track at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco with a 2-nil win against Botswana on Thursday night at the Prince Moulay Al-Hassan Stadium.
The two goals were scored by US-based forward Ifeaoma Onumonu and Ucheibe Christy respectively.
Ifeaoma Onumonu put the Falcons on their way with a sweet finish in the 21st minute from an intelligent through pass crafted by Halimat Ayinde.
Before the first goal, the champions looked brighter on the break than they did against South Africa, with Rasheedat Ajibade, Ifeaoma Onumonu, and Francisca Ordega launching onslaughts that unsettled the Botswanas.
In the 26th minute, Nigeria could have been two goals up when Ordega found Toni Payne with a smart 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 chances in the half, with Tholakele troubling 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 after lifting highest in the box to nod home Toni Payne’s 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 Falcon will face Burundi on Sunday with a win certain to guarantee a place in the quarter-finals of the championship.
