Falcons promise AWC title after Rwanda rout

The striker who plays with Belediyespor in the Turkish female league scored a hat trick and was voted player of the match in the 8-0 rout of the She amavubi of Rwanda at the Ahmadu Bello stadium yesterday; she spoke to Daily Trust immediately after the match.“I’m very happy with my performance but as usual […]

The striker who plays with Belediyespor in the Turkish female league scored a hat trick and was voted player of the match in the 8-0 rout of the She amavubi of Rwanda at the Ahmadu Bello stadium yesterday; she spoke to Daily Trust immediately after the match.
“I’m very happy with my performance but as usual the most important thing is the team won and we have qualified for Namibia 2014 and by the grace of God we are going to make Nigerians proud by bringing back the trophy and qualifying for the World Cup in Canada”
A minute silence was held in honour of the late Emir of Kano Dr. Ado Bayero who passed away on Friday and the Super falcons also wore black armbands to commiserate with Nigerians over the loss
The match promised a lot of action from the first minute when Oparanzie found herself in front of goal with only the keeper to beat only to be ruled offside but she wasn’t done and was a thorn in the she amavubi’s flesh all through the match.
Falcons first goal was scored in the 12th minute by right back Blessing Edoho from a free kick at the edge of Rwanda’s box and it would’ve been two eight minutes later if not for Yetunde Adeboyejo’s glorious miss.
Midfielder Azizat Oshaola’s goal after rounding up the keeper made it two, Oparanozie who have been threatening all day scored her first and second goals in the 25th and 31st minutes to put Nigeria 4-0 up before one of the most experienced players in the side Esther Sunday scored Nigeria’s fifth in the dying seconds of the first Half.
Rwanda’s only shot on target for the half came when Egyptian official signaled three minutes added time.
The second half was a bit low key until the 59th minute when the impressive Oshoala wasted a good chance to increase the tally but Falcons didn’t have to wait too long as Oparanozie completed her hat trick in the 62nd minute to make the score 6-0 but Nigeria’s 7th goal was the finest of the lot was scored by Oshaola as she dribbled four of the she amavubi players before rounding up the keeper to score.
Midfielder Cecilia Nku completed the rout in the third minute of added time with a thunderous shot that left the Rwandan keeper looking for the ball and as happened in the first half Rwanda’s only chance of the half came in added time and it hit the wood work.
The only downside to the game was the low turn out by Nigerians to support the falcons even after the Nigeria Football Federation scrapped ticket prices and made it free entry to the stadium.
The Rwandans return to Kigali tomorrow after being taught footballing lessons in what was hugely a one sided affair.
With the qualification now guaranteed Nigerians will be hoping the Falcons grab their 9th AWC title in October and go on to impress at next year’s World Cup in Canada.