By Akinwale Kasali
Super Falcons of Nigeria on Friday opened their 14th Women’s African Cup of Nations, WAFCON, Tournament preparations with a 2-1 victory over Senegal’s Teranga Lionesses in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
The breakthrough arrived on the half-hour mark when Nigeria earned a penalty kick, and veteran forward, Asisat Oshoala, stepped forward, sure-footed, to convert in the 32nd minute. It marked a significant return for the forward, making her first appearance for the Super Falcons since the WAFCON 2024 final. She delivered with the calmness expected at that level.
Nigeria maintained their intensity after taking the lead, circulating possession with purpose and probing the Senegalese backline. Their persistence was rewarded eleven minutes later when Toni Payne doubled the advantage, finishing off a well-worked attacking move. Like Oshoala, Payne was also making a return to the national team set-up after her last appearance at the WAFCON 2024. Her contribution showed the depth and experience within the squad.
The Super Falcons controlled proceedings for much of the encounter, dictating tempo and limiting Senegal’s attacking openings, but the visitors found a response late in the game.
In the 86th minute, Senegal pulled one back to halve the deficit, setting up a brief spell of pressure which Nigeria managed effectively to see out the result. This fixture marked the first-ever meeting between the Super Falcons and the Teranga Lionesses, adding a layer of significance to an encounter that also serves as part of both teams’ build-up to the forthcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Both sides will face each other again in a second friendly at the same venue in Ikenne-Remo on June 8, as preparations continue. Head Coach Justine Madugu and his squad remain focused on fine-tuning their approach ahead of the tournament in Morocco, where the Super Falcons will be aiming to successfully defend their continental title.
With midfielder, Halimat Ayinde out of the two games, Head Coach Madugu has called up Israel-based midfieder, Josephine Matthias to beef up the squad.
Only forward Gift Monday was being expected in the team camp, though, the Falcons’ camp is a superb mix of the highly-experienced and able, and the young and capable, with the likes of Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Rasheedat Ajibade and Christy Ucheibe sharing the same dining tables as goalkeeper, Comfort Erhabor, defender Shukurat Oladipo and Rofiat Imuran.
Midfielders like Josephine Matthias and Kafayat Shittu, and forwards Joy Omewa, Omorinsola Babajide and Blessing Nkor are also gearing up for the second leg of the International Friendly.
Nigeria, gunning for a record-extending 11th title, will mix things inside out with Egypt, Zambia and debutants Malawi in group C, while Senegal will play hosts Morocco, Algeria and Kenya in group A of the tournament that is scheduled for 25th July – 16th August in Morocco.
This year’s tournament will also serve as the qualifying competition for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, with the best four teams qualifying directly to Brazil, while the fifth-placed team will be involved in an intercontinental playoff tournament for an opportunity to qualify for the finals.
23 SUPER FALCONS FOR FRIENDLY MATCHES VS SENEGAL:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Comfort Erhabor (Portsmouth Ladies, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels)
Defenders: Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England); Glory Ogbonna (FC Kiryat Gat, Israel); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Sikiratu Isah (Bnot Netanya, Israel); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal);
Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France); Josephine Matthias (Bnot Netanya, Israel); Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Ottawa Rapids, Canada); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Kafayat Shittu (Giressunsanayispor, Turkey)
Forwards: Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia); Gift Monday (Washington Spirit, USA); Joy Omewa (Nottingham Forest, England); Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Omorinsola Babajide (AS Roma, Italy); Blessing Nkor (Dynamo Brest, Belarus).
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