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WAFCON Qualifiers: Super Falcons whitewash Cape Verde 5-0

Nine-time African champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria proved that they still possess the firepower to dominate African female football as they thrashed the visiting Cape Verde national team 5-0 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Thursday.

The match was the final qualifying round for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) to be hosted by Morocco next year. Uche Kanu scored Nigeria’s first goal in the 7th minute after dribbling past the Cape Verdean defence and Monday Gift added the second in the 25th minute to give Nigeria a comfortable lead.

Deborah Abiodun was the woman-of-the-match as she put up a five-star performance and dictated the pace of play rattling the visitors’ midfield and defence.

Kanu completed her brace in the 45th minute before Esther Okoronkwo wearing number 6 put the game beyond the reach of the visitors as she scored Nigeria’s 4th and 5th goals in the 66th and 77th minute respectively.

Speaking during the post-match interview, Nigerian coach, Justin Madugu, said the game is still work in progress. He said the girls will always give their best for the country every time. He commended Deborah Abiodun for putting a five-star performance saying she needed to be encouraged for greater and optimum performance.

“We thank God the game was won and lost. The game is still a work in progress. We are not going to relent. The girls did what was expected of them and they played according to the game plan. We were able to analyse the Cape Verdeans game but it doesn’t mean that we are not going to give our best during the return leg next Wednesday. Deborah Abiodun gave her best and she’s the type of players that should be encouraged at all times.

The Cape Verde coach, Silvenia Nedio, congratulated Nigeria for their victory. She said Nigeria is a super power country in African football and she is not surprised about the scoreline. She is however optimistic that anything can happen during the return leg.

“Everything can happen in seconds in Cape Verde and that we know. We have learnt a lot from this game and we’ll always give our best. We are doing everything possible to improve the women national team. We have nine players that played outside Cape Verde but most of our players play at home. But we’ll always give our best at all times. The captain, Vansenia da Luz also corroborated the coach’s submission saying they will continue to learn and give their best.

The return leg will be played in Cape Verde on Wednesday December 6, 2023.

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