Nigeria: London 2012 – Ruthless Falcons Hammer Namibia 7-0

Olawale Ajimotokan

4 April 2011

Super Falcons Sunday night looked a sure bet to advance to the next phase of the African qualifying round for London 2012 after they gave Namibia a thorough 7-0 hiding at the National Stadium Abuja.

The Namibians were bag of nerves in the encounter as they struggled to string passes together, and never really threatened the stronger, faster and more skilful Nigerians.

Desire Oparanozie, Perpetual Nkwocha and Emueje Ogbiagbevha were the gladiators as they each scored a brace while Rita Chikwelu completed the rout.

The Namibian woes began as early as the third minute when they conceded a penalty following a foul on Nkwocha.

Oparanozie scored from the rebound after her effort from the spot kick was blocked and diverted by Nambian keeper, Sussana Eises.

Within the next 15 minutes, Nigeria, cheered on by a small, but passionate group of supporters, increased the tally through Ogbiagbevha and Nkwocha.

The lively Ogbiagbevha, who made the Namibians uncomfortable with her pace and flair down the left, scored the fourth goal with a scorcher which left Eises scrambling on the 27th minute, while Nkwocha doubled her tally in the 39th minute.

Oparanozie made it 6-0 before the break after finishing an assist by Helen Ukaonu from the right.

Nigeria afterwards lost their fire but not before Rita Chikwelu’s blaster from outside the box on the 49th minute extended the score line.

After the match, Nigeria’s coach Eucharia Uche said she was delighted with the victory.

She accused the Namibians of time wasting and falling over the pitch just to stop the Falcons from wreaking further havoc.

Nigeria will play the return leg in Windhoek in two weeks without most of their professionals who have asked to be exempted from the encounter.

The Falcons will set up with old rivals, Ghana in the next stanza if they advance after the visit trio Namibia.

Eucharia told reporters that they look forward to the clash against Ghana and would approach the ties as a matter of life and death.

“It would be a great battle against Ghana. They will here in Abuja first before the return match. All the pros will be on ground to blend. We will approach the match with all seriousness,” She promised.

Namibian coach, Jacqueline Shipanga reckoned that her charges lost because they felt intimidated by the profile of the Falcons and the sheer size of the Abuja Stadium.

AllAfrica – All the Time