Super Falcons
The Super Falcons of Nigeria on Sunday demolished their counterpart from Burundi in their last Group C game of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco to book a spot in the quarter-finals of the competition.
With the result, the Falcons set up a potentially explosive clash with perennial rivals Cameroon in their last quarter final on Thursday.
Striker, Rasheedat Ajibade, the star girl of the Falcons, scored the first goal of the night in the 25th minute before the Athletic Madrid star provided the second for Peace Efih seconds, as well as the third and fourth for Uchenna Kanu in the 29th and 46th minutes respectively, in what was a comprehensive victory for Nigeria.
Randy Waldrum made four changes to the side that defeated Botswana 2-0 on match-day two of the tournament, with Efih, Kanu, Christy Ucheibe and Nicole Payne all replacing Halimatu Ayinde, Michelle Alozie, Rita Chikwelu and Francisca Ordega.
Ajibade, easily the game’s best player, caused problems for the Burundians time and time again, and was the key woman as the Falcons put their high-pressing tactics to good use.
The Nigerians got the game underway with the first chance of the match falling to striker Ifeoma Onumonu, who fired wide, following a fine pass from Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene just two minutes into the encounter.
Despite their early dominance, it took the nine-time champions 25 minutes to break their opponent’s defence after Ajibade outpaced her marker, before she was brought down inside the box by goalkeeper Eanine Irakoze.
The former Robo Queens striker dusted herself up before coolly converting from the spot from the resultant penalty.
Immediately after the restart, Ajibade’s fine cross was met by Efih, who converted to double the lead.
Not showing any signs of relenting, Waldrum’s side continued to press forward and were rewarded for their effort as Kanu grabbed the third goal courtesy of another Ajibade assist.
Kanu then thought she had grabbed her second of the night but had her effort correctly ruled out for offside.
The Nigerian women got their fourth with just 20 seconds into the second half, as Ajibade once again the provider, setting up Kanu for her second of the night as the nine-time champions cruised to the last eight as Group C runners-up with six points — behind leaders South Africa, who were held 0-0 to round up their group phase campaign with seven points after earlier wins over Nigeria (2-1) and Burundi (3-1).
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