Nigeria qualified for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament following a 7-1 aggregate win over Cape Verde in the final qualifying round.
Nigeria defeated Cape Verde 5-0 in the first leg in Abuja before travelling to Praia for the return leg.
Coach Justin Madugu tutored Falcons came from behind to win 1-2 and complete a 7-1 aggregate result to continue their perfect AFCON qualification record.
Cape Verde took the lead in Praia on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.
Ivan Moreira was the goal-scorer as the hosts began the second-leg with a spark to their slim qualification hopes.
The second half resumed with a Nigerian press with Madugu bringing in Okoronkwo for Kanu and the UD Tenerife forward thought she had given the away side the equaliser but her 55th minute goal was ruled offside
The 26-year-old would have to wait seven minutes to get her much-cherished goal with a solo finish to maintain the five-goal aggregate tally.
Okoronkwo was making herself a nuisance of the Cape Verde defence and almost got an assist after she set up Toni Payne but the latter couldn’t beat the opposition goalkeeper Jacinta Rodrigues.
Acting captain Rasheedat Ajibade also came close to giving the Falcons the lead, however, her effort went inches wide of the post.
Rodrigues was kept busy by the likes of Payne and Okoronkwo to keep the scoreline deadlocked.
The breakthrough would finally come for the Super Falcons from Ajibade in the 93rd minute to seal the win.
Nigeria will begin chase for a 12th WAFCON title when the best women’s national team in Africa converge in Morocco for the 2024 edition.
