Nigeria defeats Cameroon to Qualify for 2023 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria beat Cameroon by a score of 1-0 on Thursday to move on to the semi-finals and keep their chances of defending their TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.

[keypoints]

• Super Falcons defeated Cameroon 1-0 on Thursday
• Early on in the close game, both teams played cautiously, which made it hard for their opponents to get nervous.
• Buhari congratulates Super Falcons on qualifying for the Women’s World Cup

[/keypoints]

The Super Falcons’ victory at the Complexe Sportif Mohamed V in Casablanca, Morocco, also guaranteed them a spot at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

In the quarterfinals, the reigning champions only needed one goal from Rasheedat Ajibade to beat the Indomitable Lionesses and move on to play Morocco in the semifinals.

Francisca Ordega, Plumptre Ashleigh Megan, and Halimatu Ayinde were brought in by Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum to add some urgency to the attack from the team that crushed Burundi 5-0 in the previous round.

The three players who paved the way for the inclusion of the aforementioned trio from the starting lineup were Uchenna Kanu, Peace Ewomazino Efih, and Payne Oyeyemisi Nicole.

Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene, Ajara Nchout Njoya, Michaela Abam, and Aurielle Awona all started for Cameroon, with head coach Gabriel Zabo keeping with the lineup that defeated Tunisia 2-0 in their previous game and displaying their will to win.

Early on in the close game, both teams played cautiously, which made it hard for their opponents to get nervous.

During the close and even first half, both teams tried to score, but they were stopped by some tough defence before the break.

Atletico Madrid star Ajibade gave Nigeria the lead with their first effort on goal eleven minutes into the second half.

Ajibade scored her third goal of the competition by heading in a great cross from the right by Onumonu Ifeoma Chukwufunmnaya. This came after Ngozi Sonia Okobi had done some amazing things.

Aboudi Onguene, Nchout Njoya, and Abam all sought to equalize Cameroon, but their efforts were unsuccessful because of the Super Falcons’ defence, which was crucially commanded by captain Onome Ebi and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

The defending champions will now play the host nation, Morocco, in the semifinal matchup on Monday.

Because of this, Nigeria qualified for the eighth straight FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand in 2019.