BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Nigeria’s female national team, the Super Falcons were on Monday clinical in delivering a commanding second-half performance to beat the Teranga Lionesses of Senegal 3-0 in the second of their two international friendly games at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.
In a match that saw forward Joy Omewa bagging a brace, the Falcons overcame a tense and scoreless first half to find their rhythm in the second period leading to a convincing victory over the Senegalese visitors in front of their teeming home supporters.
The match flagged off on a blistering tempo as Nigeria forced an early set-piece that had Captain Rasheedat Ajibade stepping up in the opening minute, but her attempt failed to connect. Keeping their foot on the gas pedal, with forward Joy Omewa agonizingly missing a prime opportunity moments later, the Super Falcons still could not break the deadlock despite sustained offensive pressure.
Frustration mounted thereafter when another golden opportunity went begging in the 13th minute as a goal-bound shot from the Nigerian women, drifted agonizingly wide with the goal gaping and at their mercy.
Though Gift Monday proved a constant threat, repeatedly troubling the Senegalese defence as the home crowd urged them on, it was Omewa who came agonizingly close in the 15th minute when she rounded the goalkeeper, only to see her effort strike the woodwork as the first half remained locked at 0-0.
Finally, the Super Falcons broke the deadlock just three minutes after the restart when Shukurat Oladipo curled in a sublime cross, allowing Joy Omewa to power home a decisive header that rewarded Nigeria’s attacking persistence in the 48th minute of play
Not done, the Falcons struck again in the 66th minute after their Captain Ajibade launched a surging run before teeing up substitute Asisat Oshoala, who coolly slotted home a third against the hapless visitors.
The strike by Oshoala who replaced two goals scorer, Omewa, capped a dominant second half for the Super Falcons, pairing a ruthless attack with an ironclad defence line.
The first leg friendly between both sides at the same stadium ended in a 2-1 victory for the Super Falcons with goals from Asisat Oshoala and Toni Payne for Nigeria, and a late consolation goal from Sokhna Nogaye for Senegal.
