By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Nigeria was back to winning ways Thursday night in Morocco as Super Falcons beat Mares of Botswana 2-0 to earn their first win in two matches in the on-going CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The defending champions were much better set up than in the first game against South Africa which ended in a 2-1 defeat at Complexe Moulay Hassan in Rabat on Monday.
Two goals by United States-born Ifeoma Onumonu and Portugal-based Christy Ucheibe in each half of the match gifted Nigeria her first win in the competition at the same venue.
Nigeria took a well deserved lead in the 22nd minute through Onumonu after the lanky forward slotted home following a superb pass from Halimat Ayinde.
The Super Falcons were clearly dominant as they started like a house on fire in the opening exchanges but were let down by their poor touches around the box, before Onumonu struck in the 22nd minute.
As the first half wore off, Botswana nearly equalised courtesy of forward Refilwe Tholaleke’s free kick at the edge of Nigeria’s vital area but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was to parry it out by diving full length in the 31′ minute.
Nnadozie was to produce another spectacular fine saves to deny the Mares chance of an equaliser.
Substitute Ucheibe added the second goal in the 48′ after being assisted Toni Payne. It was exactly three minutes after the break.
Head Coach, Randy Waldrum made good his word by making necessary changes and also ensured that the ladies played in their natural positions.
The backline of Captain Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Nicole Payne and Michelle Alozie were better coordinated while the midfield featuring Rasheedat Ajibade, Rita Chikwelu and Halimat linked up well with Francisca Ordega, Onumonu and in Waldrum’s preferred 4-3-3 formation.
Apparently looking for more goals in the match, Waldrum sent in Monday Gift and Regina Otu in the 63′ to replace Ordega and Okobi-Okoghene but the score line stood at 2-0 at full time.
This victory has become a big relief to the Nigerian camp in Morocco as they look forward to the final group match against Burundi on Sunday.
Earlier in the day, South Africa booked her second round ticket after thrashing Group C “whipping boy”, Burundi 3-1 to secure another maximum three points in the second group match on Thursday.
South Africa has thus garnered six points in two matches by beating Nigeria and Burundi respectively just as the result of their next game against Botswana is a mere academic exercise.
South Africa’s three goals were scored by super star Thembi Kgatlana (20′); Alice Motau (32′) and Linda Motlhalo (PK) (54′) while Burundi’s goal was scored by Aniella Uwimana (30′).
In the same vein, Burundi is on the verge of crashing out of the competition after losing two straight matches to Botswana and South Africa. Three points may not be enough to qualify them to the next round.
