The Super Falcons of Nigeria recorded their first win at the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup Of Nations (AWCON) in Ghana defeating Zambia 4-0 at the Cape Coast Stadium on Wednesday despite missing several scoring chances.
Goals from Desire Oparanozie, Francisca Ordega, Rasheedat Ajibade and Amarachi Okoronkwo secured the win for the Super Falcons at the AWCON tournament following their 1-0 loss to South Africa in their opening Group B game on Sunday.
The Super Falcons started the game well, stringing passes together while trying to create a chance but the Zambian team were resolute in defending.
Asisat Oshoala had the game’s first real chance but her low drive was easily saved by the Zambian keeper Hazel Nali in the eighth minute.
In the 19th minute, Onome Ebi’s goal-bound header was also saved by Nali.
The Super Falcons broke the deadlock shortly after Ordega raced down the left flank before releasing Oparanozie who stabbed in her pass from close range.
At the start of the second half, Oparanozie missed a chance to double the Super Falcons’ lead despite rounding off the goalkeeper.
Oshoala also had a chance to score when she broke down the right flank but her cutback pass was saved by the impressive Nali in goal for Zambia.
Oshoala missed two clear-cut chances successively to wrap up the win for the Super Falcons in the 58th and 62nd minutes.
Ordega curled in a rebound shot from Oparanoize to double the lead for the Super Falcons.
Ajibade came on for Oparanoize in the 70th minute and five minutes later, the FC Robo star fired in a stunning strike to make it 3-0 for Thomas Dennerby’s side.
Okoronkwo sealed the first 2018 AWCON win for the reigning champions with a outstanding strike from the edge of the box.
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