AWCON [CAMEROON 2016]: Falcons thump Mali 6-0 in opener
African Womens' Defending champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria, opened their campaign at the 2016 African Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon with a 6-o win over West African rivals, Mali.
United States-based attacker Francisca Ordega opened the scoring for the seven-time African champions in the 21st minute by smashing home Ugo Njoku’s effort.
England-based forward Asisat Oshoala scored four goals afterwards, as Nigeria swept past Mali 6-0 to get off their African Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title defence on a flying start at Cameroon 2016 on Sunday.
Oshoala's first goal came from a defensive mix-up in the Malian defence as she waisted no time to drive the ball into the net for the Super Falcons’ second goal.
Nigeria grew in confidence in the encounter after Oshoala's goal, as their opponents made series of defensive blunders.
Uchechi Sunday who missed a good chance to make it three for Nigeria minutes into the second stanza, put her name on the scoresheet after converting from the spot, after Osarenoma Igbinovia was brought down in the box.
The game became an Oshoala affair as the Arsenal Ladies forward latched onto a header by Chioma Wogu, in the 62nd minute, to coast past a defender, before smashing the ball past Mali goalkeeper Goundo for Nigeria's fourth goal.
Oshoala scored her fourth of the game and Nigeria’s sixth from a good pass by captain Rita Chikwelu in the 79th minute.
Nigeria grew in confidence in the encounter after Oshoala's goal, as their opponents made series of defensive blunders.
Uchechi Sunday who missed a good chance to make it three for Nigeria minutes into the second stanza, put her name on the scoresheet after converting from the spot, after Osarenoma Igbinovia was brought down in the box.
The game became an Oshoala affair as the Arsenal Ladies forward latched onto a header by Chioma Wogu, in the 62nd minute, to coast past a defender, before smashing the ball past Mali goalkeeper Goundo for Nigeria's fourth goal.
Oshoala scored her fourth of the game and Nigeria’s sixth from a good pass by captain Rita Chikwelu in the 79th minute.
Mali’s only threat in the game came from their France-based star, Baradji but the Nigerian backline anchored by Onome Ebi kept her in check.
The Falcons face stronger opponents on Wednesday when they clash against their bitter rivals Ghana, who beat Kenya 3-1 in the other Group B fixture.
Oshoala credited her teammates for the victory, saying she had her sights set on winning the title for the country.
“It is not about Asisat Oshoala, rather the whole Nigerian team,” the 22-year-old told Cafonline after the game.
“I did not come with a target in mind to win the Most Valuable Player or the top scorer, rather to make my country proud. And also to show the rest of Africa that we are still around and this is the only way to make that statement.”
Nigeria coach Florence Omagbemi said, “This is our first game and we are in the process of finding our feet. We are through with Mali and looking forward to Ghana. Our focus is to defend our trophy and we have just started.”
Her Mali counterpart Oumar Guindo lamented the huge defeat suffered by his team at the hands of Nigeria.
Oshoala credited her teammates for the victory, saying she had her sights set on winning the title for the country.
“It is not about Asisat Oshoala, rather the whole Nigerian team,” the 22-year-old told Cafonline after the game.
“I did not come with a target in mind to win the Most Valuable Player or the top scorer, rather to make my country proud. And also to show the rest of Africa that we are still around and this is the only way to make that statement.”
Nigeria coach Florence Omagbemi said, “This is our first game and we are in the process of finding our feet. We are through with Mali and looking forward to Ghana. Our focus is to defend our trophy and we have just started.”
Her Mali counterpart Oumar Guindo lamented the huge defeat suffered by his team at the hands of Nigeria.
With the contest surely won by Nigeria, the Malian team would look forward to their next game with Kenya on Wednesday while the Super Falcons face Ghana in a clash of heavyweights same day.
0 Comments