A fourth-minute goal by six-time African Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, set the tone for the Super Falcons’ emphatic 3-0 win over Tunisia at the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Casablanca on Sunday.
Playing at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Oshoala connected perfectly with a glancing header after Rinsola Babajide floated a well-placed free-kick into the box. The Tunisian defence failed to clear the danger as Oshoala’s effort rolled past goalkeeper Soulaima Jabrani, handing Nigeria an early advantage.
The Super Falcons, nine-time continental champions, pressed for more goals. In the 16th minute, Oshoala almost doubled her tally but a timely clearance from Norhene Bettoumi denied her from finishing off Toni Payne’s cross. Deborah Abiodun tested the Tunisian keeper with a low shot in the 37th minute, but it was Babajide who doubled the lead moments before halftime. She powered past Chaima Alabbassi and fired in a thunderous strike to make it 2-0.
Ashleigh Plumptre thought she had scored Nigeria’s third from a corner before the break, but the goal was ruled out. In the second half, Plumptre remained lively, forcing a smart save from Jabrani. Substitute Esther Okoronkwo also threatened but her delivery found no final touch. Osinachi Ohale missed a chance in a goalmouth scramble, while at the other end, she was fortunate not to concede a penalty after fouling Salma Zemzem inside the box.
The third goal finally came with twelve minutes left when Okoronkwo’s knockdown from Plumptre’s cross found Chinwendu Ihezuo, who slotted calmly past Jabrani to seal Nigeria’s opening Group B win.
The 9am News report confirms that this victory gave the Super Falcons an early lead in the group ahead of Algeria and Botswana’s encounter.
Babajide’s Emotional Tribute to Jota
After netting Nigeria’s second, Rinsola Babajide paid a touching tribute to late Portuguese striker Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car crash in Spain at age 28 alongside his brother, André Silva. The ex-Liverpool star mimicked Jota’s iconic goal celebration by sitting down and pretending to play a video game—just as the late forward famously did during his Liverpool days.
Babajide, who now plays for UD Tenerife in Spain, spent several years with Liverpool between 2017 and 2021 before moving to Brighton. Despite picking up a knock earlier in the game, she made sure to honour Jota’s memory after scoring.
With this strong start, the Super Falcons look firmly set on their mission for a historic 10th African title.
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