Nigeria 5-0 Cape Verde: Okonkwo and Kanu-inspired Super Falcons thrash Blue Sharks in WAFCON tie

Nigeria vs Cameroon: Super Falcons boss Randy Waldrum explains the Olympic goal. (Photo Credit: Super Falcons/X)

Nigeria 5-0 Cape Verde: Okonkwo and Kanu-inspired Super Falcons thrash Blue Sharks in WAFCON tie

Izuchukwu Akawor 18:10 - 30.11.2023

It's advantage Nigeria after a dominant five-star performance from the Super Falcons against Cape Verde in the first leg of the WAFCON qualifiers.

Nigeria’s national Women’s football team, the Super Falcons, are a step closer to the WAFCON after an inspirational performance from Uchenna Kanu and Esther Okonkwo against Cape Verde. 

Kanu and Okonkwo stole the show as Nigeria thrashed the sorry Blue Sharks 5-0 in the first leg of the final round of the WAFCON qualifiers at the M.K.O Stadium, Abuja on Thursday.

Kanu and Okonkwo inspire Super Falcons

The Super Falcons proved to be just too good for Cape Verde following a five-star display against their visitors, the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde. 

Kanu and super-sub, Okonkwo, were the obvious stars of the match after scoring a brace each.

Nigeria's Super Falcons are closer to another WAFCON. (
Nigeria's Super Falcons are closer to another WAFCON. (Photo Credit: Super Falcons/X)

The more experienced Kanu netted her goals in the first half, while Okonkwo came off the bench to share the shine with two fantastic goals. 

USA-based Kanu opened the floodgates when she fired Nigeria in front as early as the seventh minute before Monday Gift doubled the advantage in the 25th minute. 

Kanu scored her second and Nigeria’s third just before the break to give the Super Falcons a handy 3-0 lead at half time. 

After the break, the coach, Justin Madugu subbed off Monday for Okonkwo as he looked to push for more goals.

Uchenna Kanu celebrates one of her goals with teammates
Uchenna Kanu celebrates one of her goals with teammates. (Photo Credit: Super Falcons/X)

13 minutes after she came on, the talented forward made it 4-0 with her first of the evening before wrapping things up 13 minutes from time with her second and the fifth for the Super Falcons.

What the result means

Nigeria’s Super Falcons move a step closer than ever to another WAFCON appearance after the emphatic win and will now take a comfortable lead to the second leg next week. 

Cape Verde will host Nigeria on December 5, 2023, with Nigeria looking to wrap up the qualifiers in style. 

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