Five-star Super Falcons stroll to win over Cape Verde

Nigeria’s Super Falcons recorded a resounding success as they strolled to a comprehensive 5-0 win over their Cape Verdean counterparts in the first leg of their Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifier in Abuja.

Despite the absence of several key players, including Asisat Oshoala, Ashleigh Plumptre and Michelle Alozie, the quality of the Nigerian team managed by Justin Madugu was evident from the start.

It only took seven minutes for Mexico-based striker Uchenna Kanu to open the scoring with a finish from close range, before Tenerife star Gift Monday doubled the advantage midway through the half.

Kanu scored a second on the stroke of half-time with a fierce strike that went in off the underside of the crossbar to give Nigeria an unassailable lead by the interval.

Spain-based forward Esther Okoronkwo was introduced off the bench and did not allow her other teammates to take all of the plaudits, scoring a brace for the Super Falcons.

Okoronkwo added her name to the scoresheet in the 66th minute when she connected to a cross from Esther Akudo Ogbonna, before completing her brace in the 77th minute off a Rofiat Imuran assist to round off the scoring in the encounter. 

Both sides will face off in the second leg of the encounter in Praia on Tuesday December 5th to determine who goes through to the next stage.