The Super Falcons ocruised to a comfortable 4-1 win against Algeria women’s national team, the Fennecs, courtesy of a ha-ttrick from Edo Queens striker Folashade Ijamilusi and another from Spanish-based forward Gift Monday.
The record African champions began the first half with the same energy as they did in the first leg at the Remo Stars Stadium, dominating their opponents from start to finish.
With just 9 minutes in, Ijamilusi tucked in a rebound from Gift Monday’s header through Blessing Ilivieda’s corner for Nigeria’s first goal of the game.
Apparently, Ijamilusi was not done with the goals yet as she tapped in a loose rebound from Blessing Osigwe’s shot which came off the bar courtesy of a line-breaking pass from Atletico Madrid maestro Rasheedat Ajibade, increasing Nigeria’s goal tally for the game in the 17th minute.
As the first period progressed, Captain Rasheedat Ajibade laid off a pass for Blessing Ilivieda who hit a ferocious shot past Algeria’s goalkeeper, just narrowly missing the target as Nigeria continued to build up the pressure.
Late into the first half, Algeria’s Green Ladies capitalised on Nigeria’s inability to string a few passes amongst themselves, as substitute Wassila Alouache who came on for Bouzid Wissem in the 39th minute, tapped in a rebound from Abadou Lea’s shot which was poorly handled by Nasarawa Amazon’s goalie Udoka Unachukwu, pulling one back for Algeria with six minutes of left in the half.
Four minutes later, the Super Falcons responded from the corner, as Onyenezide’s ball into the box found Monday Gift who headed home, beating Salah Amel in goal for Algeria.
The second half saw Coach Justin Madugu ring in changes for Nigeria, Chioma Olise replacing Josephine Matthias.
With just three minutes in, the Super Falcons came close to adding a fourth goal, with Monday Gift’s shot striking the upright in the 48th minute.
Algeria threatened in the 53rd minute, with forward Boussaha Lina aiming to test Unachukwu in goal from outside the box, but in the end it was an easy catch for the Nasaarawa Amazons shot-stopper.
In the 70th minute, Comfort Folorunsho made way for Amarachi Odoma and goalscorer Monday Gift came off for Janet Akekoromewei as Algeria began to grow into the game.
Ijamilusi completed a memorable hatrick in the 86th minute as she managed a close range tap in from Shukurat Oladipo’s cross which was poorly handled by Algerian goalkeeper Salah Amel for Nigeria’s fourth goal of the game.
Monle Omini who replaced Udoka Unachukwu before just before the end of normal time made a huge save in added time to deny Algeria a second goal just before the final whistle.
Today’s win meant that the Super Falcons, which majorly consisted of home-based players, scored six goals over the course of two legs with a 6-1 win on aggregate under interim manager Justin Madugu, in his first two games since Randy Waldrum’s resignation.
Ejim Kaycee
