By Chima Azu
Nigeria’s Super Falcons lose their opening game to South Africa’s female national team 2-1 yesterday in the 2022 Total Energy Female Nations Cup being hosted by Morocco.
After a goalless first half, Bayana Bayana scored 2 goals in a space of two minutes immediately after the hour-mark. Jermaine Seoposenwe hooked the ball into the Nigeria defence to get a clear chance to beat goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi from close range, after great work by Natalie Cesane who beat hard-working Ashleigh Plumptre with lovely footwork on the edge of the Nigeria box 18 and then sent the striker on her way.
The celebration on the South African bench had hardly died down when, after exchange of passes in the midfield, Michelle Alozie was beaten with a long ball on Nigeria right and Hildah Magaia shot past onrushing Tochukwu Oluehi.
With three minutes of added time, Rasheedat Ajibade reduced the scoreline to 2-1 when she found the ball at her feet in the box after good work and pass by captain Onome Ebi but it was too little too late for the Super Falcons.
Nigeria will next face Botswana on Thursday while South Africa will play Burundi on the same day for their second game in the competition.
