Captain Onone Ebi, Jennifer Echegini, and Desire Oparanozie all found the back of the net as the Super Falcons continued their winning streak with a 3-0 victory against New Zealand in a friendly match at the Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Turkey on Tuesday.
New Zealand started strong, dominating the early exchanges and keeping the Super Falcons pinned in their own half. The first opportunity of the game came for Nigeria, but Esther Okoronkwo couldn’t direct Asisat Oshoala’s cross from a free-kick on target. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie then made a superb save to deny the Ferns in the 20th minute.
Nigeria had a chance to take the lead a minute later, but Rasheed Ajibade’s shot from inside the box went wide. The Ferns continued their attacking play relentlessly, but Jennifer Echegini made a crucial tackle to deny them just before the half-hour mark. The Super Falcons responded with Oshoala’s goal-bound effort being deflected for a corner on the 32nd minute.
Finally, the breakthrough came a minute later, with Ebi heading home Toni Payne’s cross to give Nigeria the lead. The Super Falcons maintained their advantage for the rest of the first half, heading into the break with a one-goal lead.
Echegini extended Nigeria’s lead four minutes into the second half, tapping the ball into the net. After that, Randy Waldrum’s side took control of the game, confidently passing the ball around and dominating possession. In stoppage time, substitute Oparanozie completed the rout by scoring the third goal, sealing a convincing victory for the Super Falcons.
