The Nigeria senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, defeated Haiti 2-1 on Friday at Emir Sports Complex, Antalya, Turkey as part of their preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Post Nigeria reports that this would be their second consecutive win after ending a seven-match winless run.
Head coach Randy Waldrum made four changes to the team that defeated Costa Rica 1-0 at the Revelation Cup in Mexico last month, with Chiamaka Nnadozie, Halimat Ayinde, Onome Ebi, and Asisat Oshoala replacing Yetunde Balogun, Osinachi Ohale, Christy Ucheibe, and Ifeoma Onumonu.
Haitian coach Nicolas Delepine suffered a setback when centre-back Tabita Dougenie Joseph was ruled out just before kick-off. Despite this, the Falcons started the game brightly, and Oshoala had a goal ruled out for offside 22 minutes into the game.
Just before halftime, Esther Okoronkwo scored a superbly taken free-kick to give the Falcons the lead.
They doubled their lead in the 58th minute through Oshoala’s quick reactions from a corner kick. Although Haiti pulled a goal back in the 75th minute, Nigeria held on for the win.
Desire Oparanozie made her long-awaited return to the team in the 65th minute, while Christy Ucheibe also came on in the 73rd minute.
The Falcons will take this win into their next encounter against World Cup co-hosts, New Zealand, on Tuesday, hoping to extend their unbeaten run to three games.
