AWCONQ Nigeria 2 CIV 0 : American-born striker Onumonu bags brace; Leicester CB debuts

Published: February 18, 2022

African champions Nigeria enhanced their chances of qualifying for the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Morocco after defeating west African rivals Cote d’Ivoire 2-0 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

American-born striker Ifeoma Onumonu scored both goals for the Super Falcons in the 21st and 56th minutes.

For her first strike, the forward netted after she received a pass from Esther Okoronkwo inside the box to fire the team in front from close range.

Leicester City's Ashleigh Plumptre started for Nigeria to make her senior international debut.

The Falcons asserted themselves in midfield with dominant play and even went close before the goal came albeit the ball missed target by whiskers.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced two quality saves in the 35th and 51st minutes of the game while Mitchell Alozie also showed defensive astuteness to keep the Ivorians at bay.

Onumonu grabbed a brace for Nigeria in the 56th minute when she lobbed the ball beyond the Ivorian keeper.

The trio of Uchenna Kanu, Ngozi Okobi-Eseoghene and Gift Monday came off the bench in place of Amanda Mbadi, Rita Chikwelu and Esther Okoronkwo

Both west African nations will clash in the second leg in Abidjan next week with the overall winner booking a ticket to the tournament in Morocco later in the year.

Nigeria's starting XI : Nnadozie; Plumptre, Ebi Ohale, Alozie; Mbadi, Ajibade, Payne, Chikwelu; Okoronkwo, Onumonu

Substitutes : Oluehi, N.Payne, Demehin, Otu, Okobi-Okeoghene, Kanu, Monday

Izuchukwu Michael

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