A first-half brace from captain Rasheedat Ajibade secured Nigeria’s Super Falcons a 2-0 win over the Green Ladies of Algeria in an international friendly at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, on Saturday.
Ajibade opened the scoring in the 24th minute, latching onto a long-range pass from midfield and expertly lobbing the Algerian goalkeeper, who had rushed out of her area.
The 24-year-old forward doubled the lead just before halftime, with a stunning volley from outside the box during two minutes of added time.
The win marked a solid start for Justin Madugu’s side, who are in the process of rebuilding after a disappointing Olympic campaign. Despite several scoring opportunities in the second half, the Falcons were unable to extend their lead, but they controlled the match and limited the Algerian side’s chances.
The friendly was the first of two games scheduled between the two teams, with the second leg set to take place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, on Tuesday, 29 October.
It also marked Nigeria’s return to Grade A friendlies on home soil, their first since the 2021 Aisha Buhari Women’s Tournament.
Interim coach Madugu, who took over following Randy Waldrum’s resignation in September, fielded a mix of home-based talents and foreign-based pros. Ajibade led the attack, joined by Gift Monday, while Chiamaka Nnadozie started in goal. Tosin Demehin and Esther Onyenezide also played key roles in the Falcons’ solid performance.
Speaking ahead of the match, Madugu emphasised the importance of the friendlies in rebuilding the team’s confidence.
“We respect the Algerians, but we need to bounce back strongly from our below-par outing at the Olympics and restore our team’s confidence and positive spirit”, he said.
Ajibade’s two goals brought her tally to six in 20 appearances for the national team, further solidifying her position as one of the Super Falcons’ most reliable scorers.
Both teams will now turn their attention to the upcoming clash in Lagos, where the Falcons will aim to secure another win and continue their resurgence under Madugu’s guidance.
