Nigeria’s senior women national football team, The Super Falcons, rounded off their pre World Cup tour of Turkey with hundred percent record.
The Falcons followed up last Friday’s 2-1 win over their Haitian counterparts with a comfortable 3-0 win today over 2023 World Cup co-hosts New Zealand in Turkey.
Veteran captain Onome Ebi arrowed her header from the centre of the penalty area into the top right corner of the opponents’ goal to gift Nigeria the opening lead on 34 minutes.
The goal spurred the Flacons to prey more on the Ford Football Ferns of New Zealand for more goals.
Strikers Raheedat Ajibade and Spanish league top scorer Asisat Oshoala, out eagerness, strayed into offside positions on multiple through balls while Ajibade’s header following a Michelle Alozie’s whipped cross on 43 minutes was dealt with on the line by the goalkeeper.
In a search for more goals, Nigeria manager Randy Waldrum subbed on returnee striker Desire Oparanozie on assumption of the second half.
Nigeria’s second goal arrived after another Alozie’s right wing cross was steered into the net by Onyi Echegini in the 49th minute.
Down 0-2, the Ferns rallied to snatch the initiative with Betsy Hassett, Rebekah Tott and Mucheala Foster winning freekicks in dangerous areas for New Zealand.
Opaarnozie snuffed out any hope of a comeback by firing in Falcons’ 3rd and final goal on 94 minutes to condemn the Ferns to their 3rd defeat in the last 4 friendles.
Nigeria will be buoyed by the victories over Haiti and New Zealand going into this July’s FIFA women’s world cup where the nine time African champions will play co-hosts Australia, Canada and Republic of Ireland in group B.
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