Falcons endures physical Lioness to win

Asisat Oshoala's late strike earned the Nigeria women senior national side a hard-fought 1-0 victory over their Cameroonian counterparts in an international friendly match played on Tuesday evening.

Falcons, who had lost their last two warm-up games to Sia One Boys and the National U15 Boys, created enough chances to impress their fans in the first 45 minutes at the FIFA Goal Project Development Centre in Abuja.

The visitors improved greatly and hit the bar through Aboudi Nguene's stinging shot. But they could have scored and caused an upset.

The homers almost did the early damage as the creative Cecilia Nku released Asisat Oshoala on the 15th minute mark. The lanky lad had her low effort saved by Ngo Ndom's right leg.

Nigeria looked the better side, with their defensive wall that had Rivers Angels duo Ngozi Ebere and Josephine Chukwunonye, Nasarawa Amazons' skipper Mariam Ibrahim and Blessing Edoho in action. The midfield had Evelyn Nwabuoku, Cecilia Nku and Ngozi Okobi all calling the shots. Also Uchechi Sunday, Esther Sunday, and Asisat Oshoala were lively in attack.

Nchout Njoya tested veteran goalkeeper Precious Dede with a swerving shot and Iven Mihamle smashed an effort into the side-netting.

The hosts created a worthy opening when Esther Sunday shot over the bar with a first-time 18-yard strike after good work by Evelyn Nwabuoku and Ngozi Okobi.

The Indomitable Lioness almost went ahead when Aboudi Nguene showed great composure to take advantage of Mariam Ibrahim's lack of pace and sent a superb strike that smashed the bar.

Asisat Oshoala failed to anticipate a free-kick and skipper Evelyn Nwabuoku made a blocked save to deny Aboudi Nguene.

The energetic Super Falcons deservedly scored with 8 minutes left on the clock when Asisat Oshoala fired a classy shot past goalkeeper Ngo Ndom.

The increasingly influential Asisat Oshoala had a shot well over after a good interplay with Yetunde Adeboyejo. With the Abuja fans clamouring for more, Ngozi Okobi missed late on.

The team line-up:
Precious Dede
Blessing Edoho
Ngozi Ebere
Evelyn Nwabuoku (C)
Mariam Ibrahim
Josephine Chukwunonye
Ngozi Okobi
Asisat Oshoala
Esther Sunday
Cecilia Nku (Onyinyechi Ohadugha 65')
Sunday Uchechi (Yetunde Adeboyejo 71')

Subs not used:
Ibubelye Whyte
Gloria Ofoegbu
Aminat Alani
Maria Nwoko 
Kafayat Ajani