Super Falcons 5-0 Cape Verde: We will get better Ajibade assures Nigerians after WAFCON qualifier

On Thursday in Abuja, the Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated their Cape Verdean by scoring five goals in the first leg of their 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations final round qualification match.

The nine-time African champions were easily ahead in the match thanks to goals from Uchenna Kanu (two in the first half) and substitute Esther Okoronkwo (two in the second half).

The margin of victory virtually guaranteed them a spot in the finals, which will take place in Morocco in the summer of the following year.

In the fourth minute, Gift Monday struck the crossbar with a 22-yard free kick.

Subsequently, Kanu capitalized on a goalmouth scramble after a corner kick, slipping past goalkeeper Jacinta Rodrigues.

Oluwatosin Demehin charged down a shot that Kleydiana Borges attempted to take close, and five minutes later Toni Payne missed a close-range attempt to give the Cape Verdeans the lead.

But in the 25th minute, Gift Monday capitalized on another goalmouth scramble to give the home team a two goal advantage at MKO Abiola National Stadium.

Halfway through the half, Deborah Abiodun, whose twists, turns, and lovely touches were a treat to watch all evening, came dangerously near with a 25-yard volley, but right before the half, Toni Payne's pass set up a quick counterattack that Ajibade fired, and Kanu made no mistake converting.

The Falcons dominated the second half once more, with Okoronkwo shooting past Rodrigues with 13 minutes remaining after Rofiat Imuran's cross from the left found her with a lift in the 67th minute after Ajibade's cross from the right.

After the win against Cape Verde, Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade said the team would get better.

She said, “It’s not the best game, we will be better…we set a standard for ourselves, we need to continue with that standard.”

On Tuesday, December 5, both teams will play in the second leg in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde.