Pre-WAFCON Friendlies:  Nigeria edges Senegal 2-1, Morocco, Ivory Coast win big

By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist

Defending champions of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Nigeria started her preparations for the 14th edition of the biggest continental women’s football tournament in Africa with a controlled 2-1 victory over Senegal’s Teranga Lionesses on Friday at Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun state, asserting authority early and managing the contest with composure for long spells.

Nigeria’s goals came through veteran forward Asisat Lamina Oshoala, who converted a well taken penalty kick in 32′ and midfielder Toni Payne made it two goals in the 41′ to end the first half 2-0 on the day. The Senegalese scored through attacker Sokhna Pene in the 87′.

This is even as the twice finalists and host of next month’s WAFCON, Morocco easily defeated visiting Benin Republic 4-2 at home with Morocco scoring early in the 12′.

Although Benin equalised in the 22′, Morocco scored twice in the 25′ and 42′ to make it 3-1 at half time

However, most of the second half was played without any side scoring until Morocco scored the fourth goal in the 80′ to make it 4-1 but Benin Republic rallied to score their second goal in the encounter in the 87′ to end the match 4-2.

Elsewhere, Ghana’s senior women’s football team Black Queens thrashed a local club-side Ampem Darkoa  Women’s FC 4-0 in one-sided affair at Accra Sports Stadium on Friday evening.

Also, Ivory Coast’s senior women’s football team walloped visiting Cape Verde women’s team 3-0 in Abidjan while in Cairo, Egypt and Tunisia played out a 1-1 draw.

The international friendlies also serve as part of the teams’ build-up to the forthcoming WAFCON.