Nigeria 1 CSKA Moscow 0 : Ihezuo Scores First Half Winner; Ex-USA Youth Team Star Plays First Game

Published: February 18, 2021

Reigning African champions Nigeria defeated CSKA Moscow 1-0 at the EMR Sports Complex on Thursday morning in their opening match of the fifth edition of the Turkish Women's Cup.

The novelty in manager Randy Waldrum's starting lineup was Toni Payne who was making her first appearance for the Super Falcons after switching allegiance from the United States.

The Sevilla striker, born in Birmingham, Alabama, represented USA at the 2012 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup.

Waldrum fielded a strong starting lineup with the likes of Barcelona's Asisat Oshoala, Eskilstuna's Halimatu Ayinde, Madrid CFF's Ohale Osinachi and Rita Chiikwelu, Onome Ebi, and Francisca Ordega all starting.

The first chance of the game fell to Oshoala but the Falcons captain didn't make the most of it as she was out-muscled by Bratko Ekaterina while the opponents came close to scoring from a free-kick but the ball was cleared away by Ohale.

Nigeria found a way past the CSKA Moscow goalkeeper thanks to Chiwendu Ihezuo who tapped in a low cross from the right by Ordega in the 18th minute.

Just before half-time, Payne saw her shot go wide after Chikwelu was harshly brought down.

Ten minutes into the second half, Oshoala opted to try her luck but lobbed the ball wide, instead of passing to Payne who was better placed to score.

Sands FC midfielder Patricia George played her first game for Nigeria when she replaced Ayinde in the 76th minute.

The Super Falcons are next in action against Uzbekistan on Saturday, February 20, before facing Equatorial Guinea next Tuesday.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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