Oshoala Sparkles As Ruthless Falcons Thump Mali 6-0
By Andah John with agency reports
Nigeria’s Super Falcons opened their 2016 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations campaign with a 6-0 routing of Mali.
Asisat Oshoala hit the net four times, while Francisca Ordega and Uchechi Sunday completed a perfect start for the holders.
US based Ordega started the rout with a smart finish from Ugo Njoku’s run down the Malian defence in the 22nd minute.
Four minutes after Ordega’s goal, midfielder Halimatu Ayinde came close after a good move but her move was unsuccessful.
Few minutes to half time, Oshoala brilliantly received a through ball to beat Malian goalkeeper Goundo Samake.
Sunday misses again on a Sunday
A minute into the second half, Sunday again missed with only Samake to beat from a Faith Ikidi pass. But she made it three from the penalty spot a minute later after Osarenoma Igbinovia was brought down in the box.
Oshoala’s time
Thereafter, it became an ‘Oshoala show’. In the 62nd minute, she latched onto a header by Chioma Wogu to outrun a defender and the goalkeeper before smashing into the roof of the net.
Six minutes later, she also benefited from another Wogu pass to meander past two defenders and slot past the goalkeeper.
Her fourth, and Nigeria’s sixth, came from another brilliant pass from Captain Rita Chikwelu, with 12 minutes left.
