A fourth-minute strike from six-time African Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, set the tone as the Super Falcons cruised to a commanding 3-0 win over Tunisia in their opening game of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Casablanca on Sunday.

Oshoala broke the deadlock early at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium when she met Rinsola Babajide’s floated free-kick with a glancing header, beating Tunisian goalkeeper Soulaima Jabrani to hand Nigeria the perfect start to their quest for a record-extending 10th continental title.

The USA-based forward nearly doubled the lead in the 16th minute, but Tunisian defender Norhene Bettoumi made a crucial interception just as Oshoala was about to pull the trigger off a Toni Payne cross.

In the 37th minute, Deborah Abiodun tested Jabrani with a left-footed shot, but her effort lacked the power to trouble the goalkeeper. However, the Falcons were not to be denied a second before halftime. In the second minute of added time, Babajide stormed past Chaima Alabbassi and unleashed a powerful strike into the roof of the net to give Nigeria a 2-0 cushion.

Just before the break, Ashleigh Plumptre thought she had added a third with a header from a Babajide corner, but her effort was ruled out.

Nigeria maintained their dominance in the second half. Plumptre came close again with a stinging effort that rattled Jabrani, and minutes later, substitute Esther Okoronkwo delivered a teasing cross that went begging inside the box.

In the 62nd minute, Osinachi Ohale missed a golden opportunity from close range in a goalmouth scramble. Moments later, she was lucky to escape a penalty call after tangling with Tunisia’s lively forward Salma Zemzem in the Nigerian box.

Okoronkwo continued to make her presence felt, coming close to scoring in the 81st minute with a fierce shot that struck the upright after turning her marker.

Her persistence paid off in the 84th minute when she rose to meet a Plumptre cross, nodding the ball down for fellow substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo, who calmly slotted past Jabrani to seal the win.

There was late drama as Plumptre’s clever header nearly caught Jabrani off guard, while Zemzem struck the crossbar at the other end in added time, giving the Super Falcons a brief scare.

Esther Okoronko was rewarded with the woman of the match award for her performance. With the win, Nigeria claimed all three points.