Super Falcons pip Costa Rica, end Revelations Cup with win

Nigeria’s Super Falcons ended their campaign at the Revelations Cup in Mexico with a 1-0 win over Costa Rica at the Leon Stadium. The Nigerian ladies snapped their seven-match losing run, picking up their first win since the Women’s AFCON quarterfinals.

After losing against hosts Mexico and Colombia in their first two games in the tournament, the Super Falcons and their manager Randy Waldrum were under increasing pressure heading into the final game of the tournament. They were up against a Costa Rica side that will be in Group C of the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand/Australia alongside Spain, Zambia and Japan. Waldrum rang the changes, dropping goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and defender Ashleigh Plumptre to the bench.

The Super Falcons looked much better than they did in their first two matches as they looked the likelier of the two sides to score. With the first half approaching its conclusion, the Nigerian side finally managed to put the ball in the back of the net.

A neat passing move that started in Nigeria’s half of the pitch with the centre-backs saw the ball get to Florida State winger Jennifer Echegini, who drove into the box before dinking a cross to the far post. The ball was collected by Esther Okoronkwo, who cut in on her left foot and caressed an effort into the back of the net from inside the box in the 45th minute.

Nigeria looked the likelier of the sides to score in the second half as the lively Echegini set up Atletico Madrid star Rasheedat Ajibade, but the forward could not convert. Neither side managed to score in the second half, with the game ending 1-0 to the African giants.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons managed to pick up their first win in eight games, scoring only their third goal in that stretch. The players will now return to their various clubs to continue playing ahead of the showpiece in July.