Liverpool alum pays tribute to Jota and four key observations from Super Falcons' win v Tunisia

Nigeria kicked off their Women's Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Morocco with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Tunisia.

The Super Falcons were 2-0 up in the first half with goals from Asisat Oshoala and Rinsola Babajide. 

However, Chinwendu Ihezuo sealed the win with Nigeria’s third goal, finding the net six minutes from time.

With the win, Nigeria moves to the top of the group with three points, while Algeria and Botswana are yet to play their opening match. 

Allnigeriasoccer.com presents five key observations from the match.

Rinsola pays tribute to Jota after maiden goal

Former Liverpool forward Rinsola Babajide paid tribute to the late Portuguese striker Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident in Spain on Thursday, after scoring her first goal for Nigeria against Tunisia.

After making a well-timed run into the box, Babajide slotted the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to double Nigeria’s lead in the first half, following Asisat Oshoala’s opener.

In her celebration, Babajide honoured Jota by replicating his iconic gesture—sitting cross-legged and pretending to play a video game, a tribute to the celebration he performed after scoring a dramatic 94th-minute winner for Liverpool in their 4-3 victory over Tottenham in 2023.

Dominant first-half performance from Super Falcons

Nigeria demonstrated its superiority over Algeria with a commanding first-half performance in the encounter.

The Super Falcons dominated all areas of the pitch and netted two goals before heading into the halftime break.

Their display highlighted the clear gulf in quality and class between the two sides, with Nigeria building on their strong first-half showing in the second period.

Tunisia’s struggles to defend crosses

Tunisia struggled to defend against crosses, a weakness Nigeria repeatedly exploited throughout the match.

The Super Falcons took full advantage, with two of their goals coming directly from wide deliveries.

Rinsola Babajide set up the opener with a pinpoint cross that Asisat Oshoala headed home, while the third goal came after Esther Okoronkwo beat her marker to a cross inside the box, allowing Chinwendu Ihezuo to finish from close range.

Super Falcons to improve clinical nature

Despite a comfortable victory, Nigeria will need to sharpen its finishing after missing numerous opportunities against Tunisia.

Oshoala, Rinsola, and Ihezuo all found the net to secure the win for the Super Falcons, but the team squandered several chances to extend their lead.

As Nigeria aims to clinch its tenth AFCON title, coach Justin Madugu must focus on improving the team’s clinical edge in front of goal.

Controversial calls by referee Suavis Iratunga

The Burundian referee was at the center of several controversial decisions throughout the match, with calls that affected both Nigeria and Tunisia.

Late in the first half, she denied Nigeria a potential third goal after Ashleigh Plumptre beat goalkeeper Soulayma Jebrani inside the box. Instead of awarding a penalty, the referee called an infringement.

In the second half, another penalty appeal from Nigeria was waved away after Esther Okoronkwo was brought down in the box.

Tunisia also had a penalty shout in the final 12 minutes, following a challenge from Osinachi Ohale. 

After a VAR review, the referee once again opted not to award a penalty, a decision that left the Tunisian players visibly frustrated.

Adeyemi Adewale

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