Nigeria broke a WAFCON Jinx of two consecutive group games without a win in a 3-0 defeat of Tunisia in Casablanca on Sunday.
The Super Falcons last won an opening group game at the 2016 WAFCON.
In 2018 and 2022, Nigeria lost to South Africa under coaches Thomas Dennerby and Waldrum.
Nigeria Breaks A WAFCON Jinx
Six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala put the Super Falcons on the path to a comfortable win with a 4th-minute goal
Rinsola Babajide floated the ball from a free-kick with Ashley Plumptre missing contact, Oshoala met the ball with a glancing header to force the ball beyond goalkeeper Soulaima Jabrani at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Morocco’s industrial and economic capital.
Oshoala came close to doubling the advantage in the 16th minute, but defender Norhene Bettoumi was alert to divert the ball.
Rinsola Shines In Debut.
Two minutes into the first half added time, Babajide packed enough power into her shot as she beat Chaima Alabbassi before scoring Nigeria’s second goal.
Just before the break, Ashleigh Plumptre’s header from Babajide’s corner kick got disallowed.
In the second half, Plumptre, forever adventurous, rattled Jabrani with a sharp shot, and four minutes later, substitute Esther Okoronkwo’s sharp delivery begged for connection.
Osinachi Ohale missed from close range as Nigeria chased the ball in a melee from a free-kick in the 62nd minute.
Meanwhile, the veteran defender was fortunate not to avoid a penalty after bringing down Salma Zemzem in Nigeria’s vital area.
Again, Okoronkwo came pretty close with nine minutes left when she turned a defender and saw the shot hit the upfront.
Three minutes later, she was jumping for joy when her knockdown, from Plumptre’s cross, found fellow substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo in the right place to slot the ball past Jabrani for Nigeria’s third.
Victory helps Nigeria break a WAFCON jinx, three points and leadership of group B, ahead of Algeria and Botswana’s game.
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