African champions Super Falcons defeated Senegal 2-1 in an international friendly at the Remo Stars Sports Complex, Ikenne, on Friday.
The hosts dominated proceedings from the opening whistle and were rewarded for their bright start in the 32nd minute when former African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala calmly converted from the penalty spot.
Nigeria doubled their advantage four minutes before the break through Toni Payne.
The Everton midfielder finished brilliantly after being picked out by an excellent pass from right-back Shukurat Oladipo.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade came close to extending the lead before halftime but was denied by the Senegalese goalkeeper.
Read Also:Pre-WAFCON 2026 Friendlies: Madugu Unveils Squad For Super Falcons Vs Senegal
The pace of the game dropped after the interval as Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu introduced several changes to his side.
Oshoala and Folashade Ijamilusi both went close to adding to Nigeria’s tally in the second half, but their efforts failed to find the back of the net.
Senegal pulled a goal back in the 86th minute when Sokhna Nogaye unleashed a long-range strike beyond the Nigerian goalkeeper.
Despite the late setback, the Super Falcons held on comfortably to secure a deserved victory.
Both teams will meet again in a second friendly at the same venue on Monday.
By Adeboye Amosu
3 Comments
Again, NFF couldn’t Livestream a match held in their backyard because it’s their neglected child na, Falcons. They could stream flamingoes and falconets because CAF and FIFA brought money for “their competition”.
Who afflicted Nigerian football with these quota leaders sef?
Nigeria Super Falcons Vs Senegal (2:1) – Mild Observations
Unless the Super Falcons are invited by another country to a high profile friendly match, the NFF seem unable, unwilling and plainly uninterested to accord the team such a well deserved privilege.
A whole Super Falcons playing a friendly without fun-fare, fan fare, pump and pageantry. The stadium was dry and dull and, to add insult to injury, it wasn’t beamed live!
The Super Falcons deserve better, much better.
From the clips I managed to cobble together here and there from the rough streets of the internet and cobble stoned alleyways of social media, I can say that Shukurat Oladipo has truly come of age. My goodness! Every touch, pass, interaction from this ex-youth international young defender ooze of quality and finesse, adding a layer of flair to the Super Falcons’ overall display.
Toni Payne marked her recall to the team with a pristine goal right out of the pages of wonderment! Timing her run to perfection, she collected a pass, breaching the entire defensive wall of Senegal, before dispensing with the support offered by two of her colleagues to blast home from a tight angle.
The whole team still looks at home under Madugu’s 4-3-3 formation. It allowed them to created openings, either from the flanks or down the middle, and dominate play for long spells.
It was great to see Madugu give another goalkeeper a chance to strut her stuff; it was not great to see said goalkeeper beaten by a ridiculous long range shot from almost the centre circle as she was badly poorly positioned. She will learn.
For the records, this 2:1 win against Senegal succeeds in forging another fresh ring into an ever lengthening chain of good results for this team: Madugu’s Falcons have now only recorded 1 loss in that last 10 games.
Despite the low-key preparations by the NFF for this team, the Super Falcons remain a team, the team, to beat at the Wafcon. They have this blend of young, old and very old players that, despite my reservations and the reservations of many others, should be able to punch its weight in the competition.
Your Oshoalas, Paynes and Babajides of this world still look to be up for the fight. Then you have your Oladipos, Imurans and Omewas who are technically gifted youngsters itching to also write their names in glory.
The NFF can get away with treating the Super Falcons with levity and nonchalance in the short-term but this will not last for long. Other women teams across the continent will catch up and our players.will grow fed-up with shambolic treatment, leading to inevitable decline of this team if care is not taken.
The Oladipo player was too good against Senegal.I have been a huge fan of the Roma player.In my observation,she’s a better player than Alozie.The reason she kept playing on the reserves is a mystery only the coach can explain.If i were Madugu,I shall move Alozie to left back,to accommodate Shukurat on the right.No way will I bench a huge talent like that.
The likes of Oshoala and Odega should please retire ASAP they’re of no good to the team,only there for their past achievements and star status which has faded anyway.Oshoala missed a sitter,the Senegalese keeper was beaten by a brilliant cross,from the right,the ball evaded everyone,on a silver platter for Oshoala to head in for our first goal.Guest what?Her attempted headed ball sailed over the horizontal crossbar of the goal,very disappointing!Pointing to the fact she has no valid role,or business in the Super Falcons!