By Amosu Adeboye, LAGOS
The Super Falcons of Nigeria stepped up their preparation for the 2018 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France coming from a goal down to beat Hungarian women’s first division club, Haladas Viktoria 5-1 in a pre-tournament friendly on Tuesday.
A brace from Asisat Oshoala and other strikes from Chinwendo Ihezuo, Francisca Ordega, and Ogonna Chukwudi sealed a comfortable win for the Super Falcons.
Haladas Viktoria took an early lead in the seventh minute but Chinwendo Ihezuo restored parity in the 32nd minute finishing off a fine assist from Ordega.
At the start of the second half, Ordega’s powerful header three minutes after the hour mark from Ngozi Okobi’s cornerkick put the Super Falcons of Nigeria 2-1 ahead.
With 20 minutes left to play, coach Thomas Dennerby subbed off the starting line-up, replacing them with Asisat Oshoala, Amarachi Okoronkwo, Chidinma Okeke, Alice Ogebe, Anam Imo, Chinaza Uchendu, Ngozi Ebere, Evelyn Nwabuoku, Ogonna Chukwudi and Uchenna Kanu.
The change made an instant impact with Oshoala hitting a double in space of two minutes. Both goals were assisted by Chinaza Uchendu.
Kanu came close to making it 5-1 but her header went inches wide in the 80th minute.
Ogonna Chukwudi sealed the emphatic win scoring the fifth goal for the Super Falcons off a pass from Anam Imo.
The Super Falcons will play another friendly before they depart Australia where they are on two-week residential camping.
The Nigerian team will leave for France on Tuesday, 4th June. They will play Norway, Korea Republic and host nation France, in that order, in the group phase of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
