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AWCON Qualifier: Super Falcons defeat Ivory Coast in Abuja
Ayotunde OgalaPin
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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 celebrates her first goal for Nigeria with her teammates](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0620/7576/4920/files/20220218_182557.jpg)
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.
![Ashleigh Plumptre competes for a header](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0620/7576/4920/files/img_5319.jpg)
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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