Substitute Esther Okoronkwo made a decisive impact as Nigeria’s Super Falcons opened their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign with a dominant 3–0 victory over Tunisia in their Group B opener on Sunday.
The nine-time African champions made a strong statement at the Stade Mohamed V, extending their perfect record against North African sides in open play at WAFCON to seven matches.
Okoronkwo, who came on at halftime for star forward Asisat Oshoala, changed the tempo of the game and capped her performance with an assist for Nigeria’s third goal. In the 84th minute, she found Chinwendu Ihezuo with a well-timed pass to seal the win for the Super Falcons.
The 28-year-old forward, who plays for AFC Toronto, was named Player of the Match following her influential performance off the bench, which included two shots, three key passes, an assist, and 26 touches, along with 16 completed passes at 62.5% accuracy.
Speaking after the match, Okoronkwo acknowledged the team’s slow start but praised their improved chemistry as the game progressed.
“It’s the first game of the tournament, so we were just trying to get our energy and rhythm together,” she said. “We created chances, the goals came, and now we focus on the next match.”
Okoronkwo also revealed the instructions she received from head coach Justine Madugu prior to her introduction: “He told me to be ready, help the team, lay the ball off, and play together. I just wanted to contribute and support my teammates.”
Nigeria took the lead in the 4th minute when Rinsola Babajide combined with Oshoala for the opener. Babajide, who was also impressive in the first half, doubled the advantage just before halftime with a left-footed strike confirmed after a VAR check.
Babajide finished her 45-minute shift with a goal, an assist, two key passes, and 17 successful passes at 70.6% completion, underlining her attacking threat.
Despite the comfortable win, Nigeria missed several second-half chances. Okoronkwo hit the post, and Ihezuo was denied from close range before scoring the third goal. Nigeria also struck the crossbar late on.
With this result, the Super Falcons began their WAFCON 2024 journey in convincing fashion, recording their 10th win in 14 tournament openers and keeping a seventh clean sheet in those matches.
Nigeria now top Group B and will aim to build on their strong start as they continue their push for a record-extending 10th WAFCON title.
