Super Falcons step-up World Cup preparation with Haiti win…
The Super Falcons of Nigeria stepped-up their preparation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup (FIFAWWC) with a 2-1 victory over World Cup debutants, Haiti.
This victory makes it two wins in the last two games for the Super Falcons of Nigeria after a seven-game losing streak.
The friendly game which took place at the Emir Sports Stadium complex in Antalya, Turkey, saw the return of Asisat Oshoala to the team after the nasty knee injury which saw her last feature for Nigeria at the 2022 Women’s Cup of Nations in Morocco. Another player who made a return to the team was Desire Oparanozie.
It didn’t take long for Oshoala’s impact to be felt as she found the back of the net in the 22nd minute but it was ruled out for offside. It was then the turn of Rasheedat Ajibade to threaten in the 26th minute as her attempt clipped the cross bar.
It was quite an eventful opening 30-35 minutes as both Nigeria and Haiti threatened each other’s goal but it was the Super Falcons who eventually broke the deadlock in the 40th minute through Esther Okonkwo.
A well-struck direct free-kick from the right of Nigeria’s attack close to the edge of Haiti’s box ensured the former African champions took the lead.
In the same vein, Haiti almost levelled the score in the 56th minute from a free-kick but Chiamaka Nnadozie was on hand to make the save.
Oshoala then went on to punish the FIFAWWC debutants in the 58th minute, scoring from a goal mouth scrambled to make it 2-0 as they failed to clear their lines.
Despite going further behind, Haiti continued to threaten and the pressure eventually paid-off in the 75th minute as they pulled one goal back. But the Nigeria held on for the win as the Super Falcons step-up their preparation for the 2023 World Cup finals.
Up next for the Super Falcons is another international friendly on Tuesday against co-host of this year’s women’s World Cup New Zealand.
