Nigeria’s Super Falcons kicked off their 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign in style with a dominant 3–0 win over Tunisia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Sunday.
Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring just four minutes into the match, rising to head home a well-delivered free-kick from Rinsola Babajide. Despite a challenge from Tunisia’s Ashley Plumptre, Oshoala’s glancing effort beat goalkeeper Soulaima Jabrani.
Oshoala almost made it two in the 16th minute but was denied by a timely interception from defender Norhene Bettoumi following a delivery from Toni Payne.
Nigeria doubled their advantage just before halftime as Babajide turned scorer, bursting past Chaima Alabbassi and firing a low strike past Jabrani to make it 2–0. Plumptre thought she had added a third with a header from a corner, but the goal was ruled out.
The Super Falcons maintained their intensity in the second half. Plumptre tested the Tunisian goalkeeper again with a driven shot, while Esther Okoronkwo saw her cross flash across goal without connection. Osinachi Ohale missed a close-range effort from a set-piece and later avoided conceding a penalty after a late challenge on Salma Zemzem.
Okoronkwo nearly added a third in the 81st minute with a powerful shot that struck the crossbar. Minutes later, she turned provider, heading Plumptre’s cross into the path of substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo, who calmly finished to seal the win.
In stoppage time, Plumptre came close again with a header, while Tunisia’s Zemzem rattled the Nigerian crossbar with a fierce effort.
The result sees Nigeria top Group B with maximum points, ahead of the Algeria vs Botswana clash. The Super Falcons will next face Botswana in their second group match as they pursue a record-extending 10th WAFCON title.
