WAFCON 2024: Nigeria begin title bid with routine win over Tunisia

Nigeria kicked off their quest for a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title with a confident 3-0 victory over Tunisia in Casablanca.

Former Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring for the Super Falcons in the fourth minute when the 30-year-old pounced on a low inswinging free-kick delivered by Rinsola Babajide from the left flank and bundled the ball home amid a scramble in the Tunisian box.

Babajide, who previously featured for England at youth level before switching allegiance to Nigeria in 2023, doubled the lead in the first minute of first-half stoppage time.

The winger fired clinically past Tunisia goalkeeper Soulaima Jobrani, marking her first-ever goal at a senior international tournament.

Chinwendu Ihezuo got Nigeria’s third at the Stade Larbi Zaouli with six minutes remaining after converting a cross from Ashleigh Plumptre.

The win puts Nigeria top of Group B on goal difference ahead of Algeria, who beat Botswana 1-0 thanks to Ghoutia Karchouni’s 10th-minute effort.

Nigeria will face Botswana on Thursday (19:00 GMT), with Tunisia seeking their first point against North African rivals Algeria earlier same day (16:00 GMT).

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