Nigeria forward, Chioma Okafor, scored in the 11th minute to hand the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies a 1–0 season-opening victory over the Stony Brook Seawolves on Sunday evening at Morrone Stadium, www.aclsports.com reports.
Just weeks after helping Nigeria’s Super Falcons lift the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, Okafor was back on club duty and made an instant impact.
Okafor, who recently committed her international future to Nigeria, was part of the Super Falcons squad that clinched a record 10th WAFCON crown. She carried that winning mentality into the NCAA season, and her early finish proved decisive in a match where the Huskies dominated possession but were made to work hard for the win.
On the defensive end, the Huskies looked assured. Freshman goalkeeper Ava Yamas marked her collegiate debut with a clean sheet, producing two saves.
Going forward, UConn registered ten shots and six corners, with Alayna Taylor, Naia Ocio, and Lexi Taylor all lively in support of their attacker.
For Okafor, it was the perfect follow-up to her African triumph, reminding fans in Storrs and back home in Nigeria why she is regarded as one of the most dangerous forwards in the college game.
Next up for the Huskies is a road trip to College Station, where they face Texas A&M on August 23.
