Ruthless Falcons trash Mali to qualify for All Africa Games

Nigeria women senior team the super falcons this evening whitewashed their Malian counterparts 8 nill in the second leg of the final round of the All African Games Qualifiers at the Abuja National Stadium.

A brace each from the three big O's as we call them==> Oparanozie, Oshoala  and Ordega  combined with a trademark strike from captain Evelyn Nwabuoku and a goal from Esther Sunday made sure our darling falcons will undoubtedly compete for gold when the All African Games kicks off in Algers.

The fun fill encounter ended with our no-nonsense falcons qualifying with a high scoring aggregate of 9-1.

The goal feast started when an unmarked Desire Oparanozie finished off a pin point cross from liverpool forward Assisat oshoala with just 3 minutes on the clock.

Then it was the turn of Francesca Ordega to reap the fruits of a goal mouth scramble as she turned her marker inside out and then fired straight at top corner. .

Oshoala was released free with a long pass from Nwabuoku. She beat Oumou Tangara for pace and goalkeeper Samake but Dicko cleared to safety.

Ugo Njoku delivered a sweet cross to the path of Oparanozie who headed the ball across goal. The fans applauded every move made by Super Falcons.

The woodwork was there to deny Ngozi Okobi from also registering her first goal of the afternoon after good work from from the mesmerizing Oshoala in the 37th minute.

Reigning African Women Football Of The Year, Oshoala then gave her side a three-goal lead in the 39th minute.

Great understanding was on display from the Nigeria attackers, Oshoala flicked the ball to Oparanozie, the powerful striker unselfishly sent a crisp pass to Oshoala who finished with ease.

In the dying moments of the first stanza, there was another moment of individual brilliance from Oshoala. She ran from her half and beat Tangara for pace before  delivering an assist to Oparanozie who increased her goal haul.

The first half ended four-nil in favour of the Super Falcons.

After the break, the resilient Oshoala capitalized on an error from Samake to score the 5th goal of the match and her 2nd.

A 55th minute lob from Oshoala couldn't deceive Samake. And the goalkeeper also dived low to ensure that Oparanozie was kept at bay.

In a rare forward foray, Mali threatened through Baradji's long-range attempt but there was worse to come for the visitors, with Oshoala setting up Ordega for the 6th goal of the one-sided encounter.

Edwin Okon's women stepped up several gears after, with Nwabuoku netting her official first goal in the colours of the national side in a brilliant way.

A corner kick from substitute Sunday fell to the path of Nwabuoku and the skipper said ''thank you'' with a trademark bullet to the far corner. It was a delight to watch.

By finishing off from a goal mouth scramble on 71 minutes, Sunday completed the rout.