Tag: Asisat Oshoala

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Falcons know what is at stake, says Oshoala

Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala has urged Nigerians to continue supporting the team as they seek to recover from their shock opening defeat to Malawi at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Tournament debutants Malawi announced their arrival in stunning fashion on Tuesday, beating 10-time champions Nigeria 3-2 in a thrilling Group C encounter in Rabat.

The Chawinga sisters, Temwa and Tabitha, combined to inflict a memorable defeat on the Falcons, with Temwa scoring twice in a performance that exposed the vulnerabilities of Africa’s most successful women’s national team.

Oshoala started the match on the bench and replaced Esther Okoronkwo in the 83rd minute.

However, the veteran striker was unable to make a decisive impact despite Nigeria’s late rally before Malawi sealed the victory with a third goal.

Ahead of the Falcons’ remaining two group matches, the 31-year-old believes there is still enough time for the team to respond.

“It’s still a long competition, so there is still a lot of time to prepare for the next game,” she told journalists after the match.

“We need their support right now. A World Cup ticket is at stake and this is the time we need everyone to support the team. We know the Super Eagles didn’t qualify, so we know what’s at stake and we know how Nigerians feel about this.”

Oshoala, a six-time winner of the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award and one of the biggest figures in African women’s football, admitted that the traditional gap between Nigeria and the rest of the continent is narrowing.

“Smaller nations are closing the gap for sure, but it’s also a wake-up call for us to put in more effort, knowing that there are other teams who want to win this trophy as well,” Oshoala said.

The Super Falcons are currently third in Group C without a point and will face group leaders Zambia on Saturday before concluding their group campaign against Egypt.

Nigeria must win both matches to guarantee qualification for the quarter-finals before attempting to secure a place in the last four, which would also earn the team qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. (Punch)

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Oshoala, Babajide score as Falcons thrash Eagles

Nigeria kicked off their quest for a record-extending tenth WAFCON title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Tunisia on Sunday evening at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Goals from Asisat Oshoala, Rinsola Babajide and Chinwendu Ihezuo underlined the gulf in quality between the two sides in their Group B opener and extended Nigeria’s dominance over North African opposition at the continental showpiece.

The Super Falcons came into the game on the back of a patchy record in recent WAFCON openers, having lost their first matches in both the 2018 and 2022 editions to South Africa.

However, they wasted no time putting any nerves to rest. Just four minutes into the encounter, Nigeria struck with their first real chance. After Rinsola Babajide was brought down on the left, she got up to deliver the resulting free-kick which found Oshoala in the box.

The former Nigerian captain directed a well-timed header in the midst of Tunisians into the centre of the goal for her 14th career goal at the WAFCON.

Nigeria’s second goal came at the end of a lengthy first-half stoppage period. After a VAR check for offside, Babajide’s well-taken left-footed effort in the 46th minute was confirmed, making it 2-0.

Coach Justine Madugu made three half-time changes, perhaps with an eye on managing player fitness for the rest of the group stage. Oshoala, Babajide and Abiodun made way for Chinwendu Ihezuo, Esther Okoronkwo and Christy Ucheibe.

The new entrants made an instant impact. Ihezuo’s energy pinned Tunisia’s defenders deeper, while Okoronkwo offered direct runs and link-up play, striking the post in the 81st minute before assisting the final goal.

The third goal arrived in the 84th minute. Okoronkwo received Plumptre’s cross in the box after already playing her on from the middle and her flicked header perfectly met Ihezuo’s position in front of goal, whose left-footed shot settled low in the far corner to seal the result.

Tunisia’s best opportunity came in stoppage time when Salma Zemzem rattled the crossbar from a distance, a rare moment of danger for Nigeria.

The Carthage Eagles have now gone five consecutive WAFCON matches without scoring, stretching over 460 minutes, and remain without a goal against Nigeria in the competition’s history.

The win sets Nigeria atop Group B heading into their next match against Botswana, while Tunisia will be looking to bounce back against Algeria. (Punch)