Reigning African champions started the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifying round in style thanks to a double from Uchenna Kanu in the first half of the first leg match at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
After failing to qualify for the 2012 edition of the competition staged in Equatorial Guinea, the Black Queens were seeking to avoid a second-ever absence from the continental showpiece.
Uchenna Kanu nodded home the opener just 20 minutes into the game from a well crafted Ordega’s cross. The Linkopings FC forward doubled Nigeria’s lead with another header from a Toni Payne’s cross, to give the nine-time African Champions an advantage ahead of the return leg in Ghana, on Sunday, 24th of October.
The Ghanaians threatened the hosts on multiple occasions throughout the second half but the defensive pairing of Onome Ebi and Ohale Osinachi proved to be experienced packed.
The eventual winner of this high-profile doubleheader showdown will set up a second-round date with either Niger or Cote d’Ivoire.
Speaking in his post-match analysis Waldrum said: “We are extremely excited about the win. Obviously it’s important to get a win at home I think getting a clean sheet too was very important for us to go into the second leg.
“In the first half, we came out with a good attacking mentality but in the second half we played a little bit more on the counter but they were chasing the game and we had some tired legs in the end.
“The players fought really hard, I thought Chiamaka came up with a big time saves to keep a clean sheet which was very important for us. We all understand this is is just half of the job.”
The American coach explained the difference between the Falcons team that beat Ghana and the one that lost to South Africa at the Aisha Buhari Cup.
“The difference when you compare this team to the one that lost to South Africa is that we didn’t have Osinachi Ohale, Rasheedat Ajibade, Tony Payne.
“These players are key for us and they made a huge difference for us. And I thought Onome and the other defenders did a great job for us with our goalkeeper as well.”
What to expect ahead of the reverse fixture in Ghana on Sunday?
“The staff will get back tonight and we would have some conversation and discuss how we want to approach the second leg.
“We all know that when you do home and away it’s important to keep a clean sheet at home. But it’s also important to score a goal in the second leg because the away goal really count for you. So we will have to find a balance of making sure we are attacking but also protecting the two-goal lead that we have.”
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