Super Falcons Begin WAFCON in Style with 3-0 Win Over Tunisia

Posted : 07 July 2025

Nigeria, the most successful team in Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) history with nine titles, began their Group B campaign on a strong note, defeating Tunisia 3-0 in Casablanca on Sunday. The Super Falcons delivered a convincing performance to snap a trend of first-match defeats in the previous two editions, where they had lost their openers to South Africa.

The match saw early dominance from Nigeria, who broke the deadlock just four minutes into the game. Rinsola Babajide delivered a well-placed free-kick into the box, and Ashleigh Plumptre's header slightly deflected off Asisat Oshoala before finding the back of the net. Despite the unclear final touch, Oshoala was credited with the goal.

Tunisia struggled to mount any real threat throughout the match and have now gone five consecutive WAFCON games without scoring. Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie remained largely untested, with Tunisia barely creating any clear chances.

Nigeria doubled their lead midway through the first half. Tunisia failed to deal with a clearance, allowing Babajide to collect the ball at the edge of the penalty area. She dribbled past her marker and slotted home from a tight angle. Although there was a VAR check for a possible foul by Oshoala in the buildup, referee Suavis Iratunga of Burundi upheld her original decision to award the goal.

Ashleigh Plumptre thought she had scored again shortly after, but her near-post header from a corner was ruled out after the referee judged that she had impeded Tunisian goalkeeper Soulaima Jebrani.

The Super Falcons had more opportunities to increase their lead, including a glaring miss from Halimatu Ayinde, who fired over an open goal from close range. Tunisia had a brief moment of hope when Salma Zemzem went down in the box under a challenge by Osinachi Ohale, but VAR determined that Zemzem had fouled Ohale first, and the appeal was dismissed.

Nigeria continued pressing for a third goal and came close when Esther Okoronkwo's strike hit the post and rebounded agonizingly past two teammates. Their efforts were finally rewarded when substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo was left unmarked in the box and calmly converted a header into the net from ten yards out.

Next up, Nigeria will face Botswana on Thursday as they look to secure early qualification from the group, while Tunisia will be hoping to bounce back in their North African derby clash with Algeria.

Super Falcons Begin WAFCON in Style with 3-0 Win Over Tunisia

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