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AWCON Qualifier: Super Falcons defeat Ivory Coast in Abuja
Nigeria made a positive step towards qualification for the 2022 CAF African Women's Cup of Nations with a 2-0 first leg victory over Ivory Coast on Friday evening in Abuja.
Ifeoma Onumonu scored either side of half-time, to help the Super Falcons down the Lady Elephants in a keenly contested encounter.
The Gotham FC striker had first seen a goal disallowed after she smartly finished a pass from Rasheedat Ajibade. The referee indicated that she had already blown her whistle for a foul against the Atletico Madrid playmaker.
Onumonu, who was making her debut for Nigeria was not to be denied however. She calmly finished a pass from St Etienne's Esther Okoronkwo to give Nigeria the lead in the 21st minute.
She eventually sealed the win with a beautiful lob over the Ivorian goalkeeper in the 56th minute after latching onto a long pass from Sevilla FC forward, Toni Payne.
The Super Falcons had to endure a bit of pressure in the last 15 minutes of the game. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie of Paris FC and debutant, Ashleigh Plumptre of Leicester City both made impressive stops.
They will take on the Ivorians again in the second leg on Wednesday at the Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan.
The 12th AWCON holds in Morocco between July 2 and 23, 2022. The tournament will see all four semi-finalists qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
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