The Super Falcons got back to winning ways at the Morocco 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tonight with a 2-0 victory over Botswana in Rabat.
Ifeanyi Onumonu and substitute Christy Ucheibe scored for the dominant defending champions, who needed the three points after losing their opening Group C fixture to South Africa on Monday.
Without Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury, and Leicester City defender Ashleigh Plumptre who had a knock in training, the Super Falcons dominated possession against the newcomers.
After a tepid start in which the Nigerians had most of the ball without really penetrating through Botswana’s defensive wall, the breakthrough came in the 21st minute.
United States of America-based striker Onumonu calmly chopped the ball past Botswana goalkeeper Maitumelo Bosija after being slipped through by a brilliant Halimat Ayinde pass.
The pattern of the game did not change much after the goal as the Super Falcons continued to hog the ball without creating too many chances.
Needing to inject some pace and urgency in his side, Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum replaced Rita Chikwelu with the younger Ucheibe at the beginning of the second half and the impact was almost instant.
The Benfica midfielder headed the Super Falcons into a 2-0 lead just two minutes after she came on and she livened up the middle of the park with her energy.
The Super Falcons kept up the pressure and almost made it 3-0 in the 52nd minute through Ucheibe again but her effort from inside the Botswana box flew wide.
Waldrum rang more changes just after the hour mark, bringing on Gift Monday and Regina Otu for Ngozi Okobi and Francisca Ordega.
Monday, the Most Valuable Player of the Nigeria Women’s Football League playoffs in May, then set up Onumonu with a clever pass, but the striker’s shot from inside the Botswana box was well saved.
Ayinde, who had a solid game in midfield, almost extended Nigeria’s lead with a low shot from range, which forced a big save from the impressive Bosija.
With the win, the Super Falcons are second in Group C with three points, ahead of Botswana on goal difference.
South Africa top the group with six points while Burundi are bottom with no points.
