Defending champions Super Falcons thrashed Burundi 4-0 in their final match of Group C on Sunday, at the Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON), to clinch a quarterfinal ticket.
The win took the champions to six points and five goals advantage, as South Africa’s 1-0 win over Botswana meant the Bayana Bayana finished on maximum nine points to top the group.
The result ensured that the South Africans set up a clash with Tunisia in the last eight.
The Nigerian ladies dominated the encounter before Rasheedat Ajibade scored a penalty in the 25th minute after she was upended by onrushing goalkeeper Jeanine Irakoze.
Earlier, the very busy Ifeoma Onumonu, shot over the sticks when clear on goal in the second minute, and Peace Efih had an opportunity to rifle into the net four minutes later, but opted to pass, which effort was cut off.
Four minutes after Ajibade scored from six yards, Peace Efih scored from a goalmouth melee after another dashing run and cross into the box by Ajibade.
Nigeria were 3-0 up, after Ajibade continued with her superlative move and threaded the ball into the box for advancing Uchenna Kanu, who tapped the ball into an empty net.
Kanu thought she had made it four in the 38th minute, but her effort was ruled offside, and then came very close in the 40th and 43rd minutes only to miss from close range.
In the second half, the Falcons started the way they left off in the first period, with Ajibade lifting the ball into the box for Kanu to rifle past substitute goalkeeper Amissa Inarukundo, with only 22 seconds gone.
The Falcons then took their feet off the pedal as the match puttered and petered out, even as Christy Ucheibe’s rasping drive was finger-tipped to the upright by Inarukundo in the 56th minute.
Nigeria will face Cameroon on Thursday with the winner of the tie qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.
