Sports Revelation Online ..breaking authenic sports reports
By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist
Eyes On The Ball….Super Falcons duo of Deborah Abiodun (L) and Rasheedat Ajibade swoop on Ghana’s Black Stars attacker (C) during today’s friendly tie in Morocco.
Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu made several changes to the starting XI as Nigeria’s preparations for the 13th CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), holding in Morocco from July 5 to 26, 2025, received a big boost on Sunday evening after the Super Falcons hammered West African arch-rivals Black Queens 3-1 in the final pre-tournament friendly match at Lanoria Complex in Benslimane, Morocco.
Two first-half goals scored by striker Chinwendu Veronica Ihezuo (34 mins), off a Ghanaian and Asisat Oshoala via a penalty (44 mins) and another goal by captain Rasheedat Ajibade (50 mins) ensured that Nigeria beat Ghana 3-1, a comfortable win despite the late minute consolation goal to leave the final scoreline 3-1.
Madugu dropped seven players who started last Monday in the barren draw against Portugal’s senior women’s team in another friendly match at Estádio José Gomes in Amadora. Instead, he brought in those who were not in Portugal or started from the bench on the day.
Thus, the likes of reserved goalkeeper Toochukwu Oluehi started in goal, and returnees Ashley Plumptre, Asisat Oshoala, Chiwendu Ihezuo, Halimatu Ayinde, Florence Ijamilusi, and Michelle Alozie, all started against Ghana for the coach to test these players in a real match situation.
This tweaking paid off handsomely for the Super Falcons as two strikers, Oshoala and Ihezuo, were on the scoresheet alongside the regular performer Ajibade.
Satisfied that the match has been put to bed, Madugu pulled out Ajibade, Ayinde, Ijamilusi, and Oluehi just as he brought in Jennifer Onyii Echegini, Shukurat Oladipo, Francisca Ordega, and third-choice goalkeeper Udoka Unachukwu.
With the big win over Ghana, Nigeria has won two international friendly matches and drawn one within a month to round off the preparations for WAFCON 2024 on high note even as the Super Falcons look set to take on the Tunisia senior women’s team in the first of the three group matches on July 6 at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
FULL-TIME: Nigeria 3 1Ghana
Nigeria scorers:
⚽️ 34’ – Chiwendu Ihezuo
⚽️ 44’ – Asisat Oshoala
⚽️ 51’ – Rasheedat Ajibade