July 07, (THEWILL) — Nigeria began their 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Tunisia on Sunday at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
The Group B encounter saw the Super Falcons dominate from start to finish, marking their first opening-match win in the tournament since 2016. Asisat Oshoala broke the deadlock inside four minutes with a powerful header, converting Omorinsola Babajide’s early cross from the left.
The pressure from the nine-time champions never relented, with Babajide exploiting Tunisia’s defensive gaps repeatedly.
Her efforts paid off just before half-time when she drove into the box and fired a low strike into the bottom corner. The goal was briefly reviewed by VAR before being confirmed, underlining Nigeria’s control of proceedings during the opening 45 minutes.
Three substitutes joined the onslaught at the interval, with Chinwendu Ihezuo, Esther Okoronkwo, and Christy Ucheibe, bringing renewed intensity. Okoronkwo nearly added a third with a curling effort, while Ashleigh Plumptre and Michelle Alozie created further chances down the flanks.
Tunisia struggled to escape their own half, repeatedly conceding possession under pressure.
In a rare moment of threat from the North Africans, Salma Zemzem rattled the crossbar late in the second half.
That was the closest Tunisia came to scoring, as the Nigerian ladies continued to dictate the tempo.
The result was settled in the 84th minute when Ihezuo finished clinically from close range following Okoronkwo’s clever run and cut-back.
The win places Nigeria at the top of Group B ahead of their second match, while Tunisia face an uphill task to progress.
The Super Falcons’ blend of physicality, pace, and tactical awareness proved too much for a Tunisian side still developing after their quarter-final finish in 2022.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
