Morocco 2024: Ruthless Super Falcons thrash Cape Verde 5-0

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

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have made clear their intentions to qualify for the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) billed for Morocco by thrashing yvisiting Cape Verde senior women’s team 5-0 in the first leg, final round of the qualifier match on Thursday at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

A brace by forward Uchenna Kanu who scored in the 8′ and 45′ and a scrambled goal scored by Gift  Monday in 27′ ensured Nigeria went 3-0 up in the first half, although the home team should have scored more if they have been clinical in front of goalposts.

The Coach Justin Madugu tutored side returned to the second half with more vigor as he also made two changes before the resumption by bringing inEsther Okoronkwo in place of Monday Gift and

Esther Onyenezide for Peace Efih in the 45′.

These changes made good impacts as attacker Okoronkwo also hit a brace  by scoring Nigeria’s fourth goal in 77′ and the fifth goal towards the end of the regulation time, leaving the Cspe Verdean with no chance to trouble Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie who was almost on holidays with actions far away from her box. She was later replaced as Toochukwu Oluehi was thrown into the mix.

Another substitute Rinsola Babajide who replaced Kanu in the 78′ nearly scored when she dribbled into Cape Verde box but her shot missed the target.

The return leg match will come up next Tuesday in Praia, Cape Verde

The match was watched by a handful of Abuja football fans including the Minister of Sports Development Senator John Enoh, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau; 1st Vice President Chief Felix Anynsi-Agwu and General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.