Nigeria(W) 3-0 New Zealand(W): Super Falcons thrash Ferns to extend winning streak

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria’s senior women’s national team on Tuesday continued its winning run with a 3-0 win over World Cup co-host New Zealand in a friendly match at the Mardan Stadyum, Antalya, Turkey.

Coach Randy Waldrum made no changes to the side that earned a 2-1 win over Haiti on Friday as Chiamaka Nnadozie started in goal alongside Jennifer Echegini, Onome Ebi, Toni Payne, Asisat Oshoala, Tosin Demehin, Rasheedat Ajibade, Halimat Ayinde, Rofiat Imuran, Esther Okoronkwo, and Michelle Alozie.

On the other hand, Australia started the match with Vic Esson, Katie Bowen, Michaela Foster, Ali Riley, Rebekah Scott, Betsy Hassett, Grace Jale, Gabi Rennie, Malia Steinmetz, Jacqui Hand, and Hannah Wilkinson.

Smarting from seven-winless run, the Ferns had an early threat but Super Falcons contained the attack.

Oshoala won a free kick from the edge of the box but Okoronkwo couldn’t find the right angle in the 15th minute.

Moments later, Nnadozie was at her best to deny the Ferns from breaking the deadlock with a brilliant save off a corner kick.

In the 21st minute, Ajibade almost broke the deadlock but narrowly missed her left-footed effort before Oshoala a goal-bound effort shot was deflected for a corner kick 11 minutes later.

The resulting corner broke the deadlock for the nine-time African champions as veteran defender Onome Ebi headed in Payne’s corner kick to give Nigeria the lead.

After a slim lead at the break, Echegini doubled the lead when she tapped in Alozie’s cross from the right wing in the 49th minute.

Desire Oparanozie who replaced Okoronkwo at the half time increased the Nigerians lead to three with her easy tap in deep inside the stoppage time.

The triumph handed the Africans  its third in a row putting Randy Waldrum’s side in good form and condemned New Zealand to an eighth winless streak ahead of this year’s global showpiece.