By Nurudeen Obalola
The Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated Algeria 2-0 in a friendly match at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Saturday.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade scored both goals in a dominant first half for the nine-time African champions.
It is the first match for the Super Falcons since head coach Randy Waldrum left the post after the Paris 2024 Olympics, with Justine Madugu replacing the American.
Madugu called up a largely home-based squad for the two friendly matches against Algeria, with Spain-based Ajibade and France-based Chiamaka Nnadozie among the six overseas-based stars in the roster of 25.
Ajibade opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a clever chip over the Algeria goalkeeper after running onto a ball over the top.
The Atletico Madrid forward doubled Nigeria’s advantage in first-half stoppage time with a long-range effort, but there were no more goals after the break.
The second of the two friendlies will be played at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos on Tuesday.
While the Super Falcons are the most successful national team on the continent with nine Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles, Algeria have never advanced beyond the group stage, having attended the tournament five times.
