Sport
2022 WAFCON: Super Falcons beat Botswana 2-0
The Super Falcons bounced back from their defeat to South Africa by seeing off debutants Botswana 2-0 in their second Group C game at the ongoing WAFCON on Thursday.
Goals in either half from Ifeoma Onumonu and substitute Christy Ucheibe secured the nine-time champions their first points of the tournament.
Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum made some changes with Chiamaka Nnadozie, Francisca Orgeda, Ngozi Okobi and Toni Payne all starting.
The win means the Falcons go second in Group C and will face Burundi in their last game on Sunday while Botswana face already qualified South Africa.
The Falcons bossed the early exchanges but could not break down the resilient Botswana backline.
But their persistence eventually paid off in the 21st minute through Onumonu, who ran on to a superb pass from Halimotu Ayinde before poking ball past the on rushing Botswana keeper.
Botswana went close in the 32nd minute from a free-kick but Nnadozie produced a fine save to deny them.
Two minutes later the Falcons had a shout for a penalty for a foul on Ordega but the referee waved it away.
Late in the first half Botswana won a free-kick close to Falcons box but they effort was headed away for a throw in.
Before the start of the second half the Falcons made their first change with Christy Ucheibe replacing Rita Chikwelu.
And it proved to be the perfect introduction as Ucheibe rose highest to head home from a corner by Payne to make it 2-0 in the 48th minute.
Ucheibe went close again on 52nd minute to extend the Falcons lead after controlling the ball from a set play but hit her effort just over the bar.
In the 64th the Falcons made a double switch with Ordega and Okobi making way for Gift Monday and Regina Otu.
Onumonu could have grabbed her second goal after she was played in by Monday but her effort was well saved the keeper.
Onumonu went close again with a low shot which went just off target.
In the 75th minute Waldrum made another change as Ajibade was replaced by Uchenna Kanu.
With 12 minutes left Ayinde attempted an effort outside the box but saw her effort palmed away for a corner.
In the 85th minute the Falcons were awarded a free-kick in a good area but Ucheibe’s curler was saved by the keeper.
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