Nigeria 5-0 Cape Verde: Okonkwo and Kanu-inspired Super Falcons thrash Blue Sharks in WAFCON tie

Nigeria’s national Women’s football team, the Super Falcons, are a step closer to the WAFCON after an inspirational performance from Uchenna Kanu and Esther Okonkwo against Cape Verde. 

Kanu and Okonkwo stole the show as Nigeria thrashed the sorry Blue Sharks 5-0 in the first leg of the final round of the WAFCON qualifiers at the M.K.O Stadium, Abuja on Thursday.

The Super Falcons proved to be just too good for Cape Verde following a five-star display against their visitors, the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde. 

Kanu and super-sub, Okonkwo, were the obvious stars of the match after scoring a brace each.

The more experienced Kanu netted her goals in the first half, while Okonkwo came off the bench to share the shine with two fantastic goals. 

USA-based Kanu opened the floodgates when she fired Nigeria in front as early as the seventh minute before Monday Gift doubled the advantage in the 25th minute. 

Kanu scored her second and Nigeria’s third just before the break to give the Super Falcons a handy 3-0 lead at half time. 

After the break, the coach, Justin Madugu subbed off Monday for Okonkwo as he looked to push for more goals.

13 minutes after she came on, the talented forward made it 4-0 with her first of the evening before wrapping things up 13 minutes from time with her second and the fifth for the Super Falcons.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons move a step closer than ever to another WAFCON appearance after the emphatic win and will now take a comfortable lead to the second leg next week. 

Cape Verde will host Nigeria on December 5, 2023, with Nigeria looking to wrap up the qualifiers in style.