By Harry Awurumibe, Head, Abuja Bureau
Barely one month to the start of the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup final in France, ex- Super Falcons attackers, Nkiru Doris Okosieme and Rita Nwadike have remained the only two Nigerians to score three goals in the global football fiesta.
Okosieme nicknamed “Headmistress” for her ability to score many goals with her head and who was the vice captain of the Super Falcons during her active years scored three goals in her third FIFA Women’s World cup final in the United States of America (USA) in 1999. She failed to score in 1991 and 1995 in China and Sweden respectively.
For the right- footed Nwadike, she netted two World Cup goals in Sweden in 1995 and one in USA in 1999 respectively.
Two other Nigerian players who scored more than one goal in the FIFA flagship competition are dashing forward Adaku Okoroafor and gangling Mercy Akide- Udoh who scored in two World Cup finals in 1995 and 1999.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s women’s football idol and FIFA Best Women’s Footballer / All-time FIFA Women’s World Cup top goalscorer with a record 15 goals, Marta alongside Canada’s Sinclair with 9 and Lisa de Vanna with 7 lead the list of FIFA Women’s World scorers chart.
The trio are also participating in France this summer. They will be aiming to increase their World Cup goals hostilities start on June 7 in France.
Below is the list of Nigeria’s FIFA Women’s World Cup final goalscorers till date:
*3 goals:
Rita NwadikeNkiru Okosieme
*2 goals: Mercy Akide Adaku Okoroafor
*1 goal:
Patience Avre Nkechi EgbePrisca EmeafuPerpetua NkwochaNgozi OkobiFrancisca OrdegaAsisat OshoalaCynthia Uwak
