Super Falcons Edge Cameroon To Qualify For 2023 World Cup

Reigning African champions, the Super Eagles have qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals at the expense of the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon after a lone goal by Rasheedat Ajibade steered the Nigerian ladies to the semi finals of the ongoing Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The only goal of the match came in the 57th minute when Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene made a bold run at the Cameroonian defence supported by twists and turns and the ball somehow landed at the feet of gangling Ifeoma Onumonu, who heaved it into the box for Ajibade to nod past Ange Bawu in goal for the Cameroonians.

The nine-time champions dominated a physical game right from onset and could have led by at least two goals in a first period as they created chance after chance only to be undone by near misses.

In the 7th minute, Onumonu, who scored the first goal in the 2-0 defeat of Botswana in Group C that rejuvenated Nigeria’s campaign following the opening game defeat by South Africa, headed Okobi-Okeoghene’s well-weighted free-kick over the sticks.

READ ALSO:

• Woman hires hoodlums to kidnap pastor, demands ransom
• Wipe Out Terrorists Off The Earth, PMB Orders Military
• Osun 2023: Report vote trading to us, police charges residents

In the 24th minute, Onumonu and Ucheibe were involved as a melee ensued in the Lionesses’ vital area, but Bawu was up to the task.

Ajibade’s headed goal, her third of the tournament, took Nigeria to eight goals in the championship with only two conceded – both against South Africa – and their reward is a potentially-explosive semi final duel against slick host nation, Morocco.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Super Falcons for qualifying for the Women’s World Cup. In a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President commended the spirited performance of the team in the tournament and for maintaining its dominant posture as undisputed champions of the round-leather game and most successful international women’s football team in the continent.

President Buhari also prayed that the Super Falcons, who had produced some of the greatest African players in the history of the women’s game, will surpass their achievement in the last Women’s World Cup in 2019, where they advanced to the Round of 16, for the first time in 15 years.

All semi-finalists at the championship automatically qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be staged in Australia and New Zealand.

DAILY TRUST