WAFCON 2025: Asisat Oshoala rekindles fire as Super Falcons’ Mission X lifts off

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons kicked off their quest for a tenth Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title with a comfortable 3-0 win over Tunisia on Sunday evening.

Heavily favoured, not just for the encounter but also for the tournament as a whole, the nine-time champions were expected to make short work of their North African opposition and chart a course for the top of Group B.

Justin Madugu’s side did just that, taking the lead early on and keeping Tunisia at arms length for the duration of the proceedings to shoot to assume headship of the group ahead of the meeting of Algeria and Botswana on Sunday night.

Asisat Oshoala rekindles the fire as Super Falcons Mission X lifts off
Photo by The NFF

Rinsola Babajide’s first-half masterclass inspires Super Falcons

The Super Falcons were immediately in the ascendancy, and went ahead in the fourth minute. Winger Rinsola Babajide’s flight dead-ball had the Tunisia defence in bother, allowing Asisat Oshoala to steal in and break the deadlock.

Despite their dominance, Nigeria would have to wait to double their advantage. Three minutes into added time at the end of the first half, Babajide received a pass in the inside left channel of the penalty area, spun, and fired low past the goalkeeper for two.

Madugu made a triple substitution at the start of the second half, and while the Super Falcons continued to labour to convert their territory into clear openings, his bravery was rewarded six minutes from the end of regulation, when substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo tapped home from close range to put gloss on the scoreline.

Nigeria will next face Botswana on Thursday, July 10.

<!-- Author Start -->Solace Chukwu<!-- Author End -->

Solace Chukwu

Editor Site Coordinator

Solace Chukwu is one of Africa's foremost football columnists, with over a decade of experience working with various media outlets including Goal, Guardian UK, Pulse Sports and NewFrame News. While football is his first love, he also follows and comments on boxing and tennis.