Nigeria Super Falcons kicked off the maiden edition of the Aisha Buhari Cup with a 2-0 win against Mali on Wednesday at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Lagos.
The African champions extended their winning streak against their Malian opponent as FC Robo captain, Monday Gift, came off the bench and scored a brace.
Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum named a strong starting XI for the opening game of the Aisha Buhari Cup.
Read Also: Aisha Buhari Tourney: Super Falcons Set To Continue Dominace Over Mali
The starting XI was made up of ten foreign-based players which includes
Paris FC goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Glory Ogbonna (Umeå IK), Onome Ebi (Minsk FK), Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona), Desire Oparanozie (DFCO Dijon), Rita Chikwelu (Madrid CFF), Joy Bokiri (AIK), Ngozi Okobi-Ekeoghene (Eskilstuna United), Francesca Ordega (CSKA Moscow), Akudo Esther Ogbonna (Edo Queens), and Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash).
The first chance of the game came in the 15th minute when Okparanozie delivered a crossbar into the Malian box but Ordega effort ended side net.
Despite a well dominated game by the Super Falcons, the only thing that lacked was the opening goal.
They kept pressing for the opener in the second half with Uchenna Kanu and Asisat Oshoala all missing clear chances to break the deadlock.
Waldrum introduced Gift to the fray as the forward went ahead and netted a doubler.
She scored the first in the 82nd minute through a header from Oshoala’s assist.
Her second goal was scored in added time as she lobbed the ball past Malian goalkeeper to hand her team a vital victory
The opening game of the Aisha Buhari Tournament was attended by FIFA President, Gianni Infantino; and CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe among other top functionaries .