Rasheedat Ajibade was on target as the Super Falcons of Nigeria secured a 2-0 win over Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in a friendly match played at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
The team captain on the day opened scoring for Nigeria after 28 minutes, brushing off grass after being brought down just inside the box to calmly slot in the resultant penalty under the heavy rain at the venue.
Ajibade had the chance to double Nigeria’s lead just four minutes later but was denied by the Cameroon goalkeeper, who rushed out of goal to deny the Falcons forward in a one-on-one situation..
The former Atletico Madrid forward would get her second two minutes before the half-time break, getting in front of her marker to steer a pass from Rinsola Babajide into the bottom corner and double the Super Falcons’ lead.
Both teams struggled to create clearcut chances in the second half although the Super Falcons were more than happy to dictate the game’s tempo and keep Cameroon at bay.
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie was finally called into action in the second minute of stoppage time, tipping over a shot from just outside the area as the visitors came close to pulling a goal back and setting up a dramatic closing minute to the match.
But the Super Falcons held firm to seal the win in a match that serves as preparation for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations taking place from July 5 in Morocco. Nigeria will face Tunisia, Botswana and Algeria in the group stage.
Before then, Nigeria will face Portugal in another friendly match at the Estadio Jose Gomes in Reboleira as preparations continue for the WAFCON.