Nigeria’s Super Falcons defeated Turkey’s football ferns 3–0 in a friendly at the Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya. The victory comes 100 days before the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals and marks the ninth‑time African champions’ third consecutive win.
Captain Onome Ebi, who is heading to her sixth World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand, opened the scoring in the 34th minute. After Turkey had pressured the Nigerian defence in the opening quarter‑hour, Ebi rose to meet a Toni Payne cross and headed the ball past the keeper. Earlier, Spain‑based forward Rasheedat Ajibade had narrowly missed with a left‑footed shot in the 21st minute.
Nigeria doubled its lead in the 48th minute when left‑back Jennifer Echegini finished after excellent wing play from Michelle Alozie. Turkey’s Hannah Wilkinson came close to pulling one back in the 62nd minute, but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made a quick save to preserve the 2–0 advantage.
The Super Falcons continued to press after substitutions saw Gift Monday replace Asisat Oshoala, Ngozi Okobi‑Okeoghene come on for Toni Payne, and Glory Ogbonna replace Alozie. In added time, power forward Desire Oparanozie—returning after an 18‑month absence—sealed the win with a typical finish, holding up the ball and slicing past the goalkeeper despite a defender clinging to her.
With this result, Nigeria have scored six goals in their last three matches while conceding only one. At the World Cup finals, scheduled for 20 July to 20 August, the Super Falcons will compete in Group B against co‑hosts Australia, the Republic of Ireland and Canada.
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