By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Nigeria’s preparations for the July 21 group match against Canada in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Australia and New Zealand has received a boost as the Super Falcons earlier Saturday walloped Lions FC 8-1 in a closed- friendly tie.
PROMPT NEWS reports that the match played at Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre located at 296 Nerang Broadbeach Rd, Carrara QLD 421 by 10:30 am Australia time saw Spain-based duo of Asisat Lamina Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade score a brace each.
Other scorers are forward, Ifeoma Onumonu; midfielders Antoinette Payne and Halimatu Ayinde as well as striker Uchenna Kanu who contributed a goal each to take their opponents the cleaners.
Wearing their new Nike kit, Super Falcons went into the match with the intention to convince their fans back home that they are ready for the big task ahead by going all out to bamboozle the hapless Lions FC who did not offer much resistance to the nine-time African champions on the day.
The Coach Randy Waldrum’s team did not show any sign of match rustiness or encumbered by the war of words between the coach and his employers Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) which nearly eroded the confidence of the players going into the greatest women’s football competition ever.
It was a match the “Big Girls” came to the party as Oshoala, Ajibade, Onumonu, Kanu, Ayinde and even Payne put their names in the scorers’ chart and made the encounter look like a walk in the park.
With the 8-1 scoreline against Lions FC, Super Falcons are already in high spirit as the clash with the reigning Olympic champions Canada draws nearer just as the team has already been fine-tuning preparations for their three group games.
This morale-boosting 8-1 victory over an Australian club, Lions FC in a friendly in Gold Coast should encourage the Super Falcons to be mentally ready for the dog-fight against the Canadians on July 21.
However, Nigeria will be hard done by the fact that both Ajibade and Ayinde will not line up against Canada because of the previous red card offences committed in the last Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Super Falcons
Goalscorers: Ifuoma Onumonu.
√ Antoinette Payne.
✓ Asisat Oshoala (2)
✓ Ayinde Halimatu.
✓ Kanu Uchenna.
✓ Ajibade Rasheedat (2).
