Nigeria Players Abroad
Francisca Ordega scores as CSKA Moscow retain Russia Women’s Cup
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria’s senior women’s national team forward, Francesca Ordega scored a goal as CSKA Moscow secured a 4-1 win against Maryann Ezenagu’s Zenit in the final of the Russian Women’s Cup on Sunday.
In the quest to defend their crown, Cameroon international, Gabrielle Onguene got the holders off to a bright start, scoring opening goal of the match in the 45th minute at the Rostec Arena, Kaliningrad.
Polish defender, Gabriela Grzywinska equalised for Zenit four minutes into the second half.
Nadezhda Smirnova restored CSKA Moscow’s lead from the penalty spot in the 55th minute.
18 minutes later, Ordega increased the lead before Smirnova sealed the triumph with her second goal two minutes from time.
The game was a repeat of last year’s final at the Gazprom Academy, Saint Petersburg.
In 2022, CSKA Moscow pipped Zenit 2-1 to win the title after Lokomotiv Moscow won it in 2021.
With five games remaining before the league ends, CSKA Moscow tops the log with 63 points, six points ahead of Zenit as the team attempts to win a double this season.
