The Super Falcons of Nigeria produced a five star performance on Friday crushing the Copper Queens of Zambia 5-0 in the quarter final game at the on Women African Cup of Nations
The performance and result left Africa bewildered, as the Zambians, who had shown incredible strength, ability and ambition in their previous three games, were completely overhauled and left for dead as early as it was time for recess.
Defender Osinachi Ohale, who netted when the Super Falcons mauled the Zambians 6-0 in a group stage match in Namibia 11 years ago, rose above everyone else to make a clever contact with the ball with her head and send the goalkeeper the wrong way, from Esther Okoronkwo’s free-kick, with only 100 seconds played.
Jennifer Echegini worked tremendously hard in the middle, combining with Halimatu Ayinde and Okoronkwo, while captain Rasheedat Ajibade carried the team smartly as always, with Chinwendu Ihezuo and Folasade Ijamilusi, starting for the first time, always ready to put the feet of the Zambian rearguard to the fire.
In the 33rd minute, Echegini forcefully collected the ball in the middle, found Ashleigh Plumptre, who found her captain. Ajibade lofted the ball into the box, and Okoronkwo chested and swiftly dispatched it into the far corner.
Before recess, it was 3-0. Nnadozie sent out a long ball from her territory, which was helped backwards by a Zambian defender, freeing the lurking Ihezuo, who progressed with unceasing energy and picked the far angle.
In the second half, Nigeria did not have to do much other than to further cripple the vaunted potency of the duo of Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji, which they did effectively, and even added more goals.
Defender Tosin Demehin scored with a header from a dead ball on the right, and Ijamilusi, timing her run well, connected a pass from Ajibade to earn Nigeria’s fifth goal.
In the semi finals, Nigeria will take on the winner of Saturday’s quarter final game between Cup holders South Africa and Senegal.