Captain Rasheedat Ajibade scored a first half brace to lead Nigeria’s Super Falcons to a 2-0 victory over Algeria’s Green Ladies after an international friendly at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, on Saturday.
Ajibade opened the scoring in the 24th minute, skillfully lobbing the ball over the Algerian goalkeeper after latching onto a long-range pass.
Just before halftime, she doubled the Super Falcons lead with a stunning volley from outside the box during stoppage time.
The win was a promising start for Justin Madugu’s team, who are in a rebuilding phase after their Olympic campaign.
The Falcons maintained control throughout the match, with Ajibade, Gift Monday, and other key players pressing forward, although they missed additional scoring opportunities in the second half.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and defenders Tosin Demehin and Esther Onyenezide kept Algeria’s attacks in check, limiting their chances.
This friendly match is Nigeria’s return to Grade A games on home soil since the 2021 Aisha Buhari Women’s Tournament.
The match was also Madugu’s first since taking over from Randy Waldrum, and he fielded a balanced lineup of home-based talents and foreign-based professionals.
Ajibade’s brace brought her goal tally to six in 20 national team appearances.
Both teams are now gearing up for the second leg of the double-header, set for Tuesday, October 29, at Lagos’ Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
