A lone goal by battling midfielder, Halimat yinde was enough to lift Nigeria’s female national team, Super Falcons to victory above Uzbekistan in their second match at the 2021 Super Falcons won their second group game at the Turkish Women’s Cup, megasportsarena.com reports.
Randy Waldrum’s side were more impressive in Saturday’s game than they were in their open match against CSKA Moscow of Russia, when they failed to convert several scoring chances and, this time out, Ayinde made up for her several misses with the match winner in the 47th minute.
The nine-time African champions dominated play and created better chances, with veteran playmaker, Rita Chikwelu dictating things in the midfield and Waldrum’s lasses put themselves in the driver’s seat.
It was goalless at the break but the Falcons showed great improvement, with possession, marking and running to space, as Waldrum handed a full debut to former United States youth international, Toni Payne and another America-born player, Patricia George was introduced in the second half for her debut.
The breakthrough finally arrived for Nigeria two minutes into the second half as Ayinde half-volleyed the ball past the goalkeeper from close range after a lovely cross from the right, while the Asians got a 59 minute yellow card after Barcelona striker, Asisat Oshoala was pulled back.
George went on for Chidinma Okeke and looked lively playing in a different position, but Uchenna Kanu failed to make hay four minutes from time, when she was presented with a golden chance to double the advantage.
The Falcons were able to hold on for their second victory and kept another clean sheet, ahead of their final group game against former two-time African champions, Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday morning.
The Falcons started the tie on a high against Bakhrom Norsafarov’s side as Ihezuo almost grabbed the opener off a fine cross from Toni Payne after just 10 minutes into the contest.
At the half-hour mark, Oshoala almost broke the deadlock when she snatched the ball on the edge of the area but she, unfortunately, slipped inside the box to miss the opportunity.
In the closing stages, Chikwelu and Francisca Ordega combined well before connecting with Oshoala but the latter could not end her goal drought in six matches for both club and country.
The win puts Nigeria on the brink of the title and moves them to the top of the group standings, with six points from two matches, while CSKA Moscow claimed their first win of the competition following a 2-0 win over Equatorial Guinea.
