WAFCON 2022: Super Falcons ease past Burundi to set up mouth-watering Quarter-final clash against Cameron
3 min read
The Super Falcons of Nigeria comfortably qualified for the quarter finals of the Womenβs Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, beating Burundi 4-0.
Falcons coach Randy Waldrum made some chances as Nicole Payne, Peace Efih and Christy Ucheibe all made their first start of the tournament.
A victory was not in doubt as it was only a matter of how many goals they were going to score, and it didnβt take long before they opened their account on the night.
The Falcons had the first opportunity on second minute but Ifeoma Onumonu was her shot go hits over the bar.
In the sixth minute Kanu almost put the Falcons ahead but a timely intervention denied her a tap in.
The Falcons continued to press for the opener and had another chance on 13 minutes after Onumonu ran on to a long pass but her goal bound shot was saved.
Rasheedat Ajibade converted from the spot in the 25th minute after she was fouled while trying to round Burundiβs goalkeeper, Jeanine Irakoze.Β
The result from the clash was an injured Burundi goalkeeper who had to be substituted for 16-year-old Amissa Inarunkundo.
In the 28th minute Efih doubled the Falconsβ lead as she pounced on a lose ball inside the box to slot into an empty net from a cross by Ajibade.
Just a minute later Kanu made it 3-0 as she tapped home Ajibadeβs low cross.
In the 38th minute Kanu thought she had scored the fourth goal for the Falcons but her effort was ruled out for offside.
Just one minute into the second half Kanu grabbed her second goal and Falconsβ fourth from close range.
In the 57th minute Christy Ucheibe tried a shot from distance but it came off the post.
With 15 minutes left a Burundi player tried a shot from distance but it was well dealt with by Chiamaka Nnadozie who had been on holiday throughout the game.
And on 84 minutes the Falcons were close to extending their lead but Burundi keeper came off her lines to avert the danger.
The result means Nigeria finishes second behind South Africa who beat Botswana 1-0, and will now face Cameroon in the quarter final for a place at next yearβs Womenβs World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Despite the defeat, Botswana qualify alongside Nigeria and South Africa into the quarter-finals.
South Africa top the group with nine points, the Falcons finish in second spot on six points while Botswana placed third on three points and clinched one of the third best placed positions.
The quarter-final pairing will see the Falcons face Cameroon on Thursday while South Africa and Botswana will take on Tunisia and Morocco respectively.
