WAFCON2024: Super Falcons Annihilate Tunisia 3-0, Babajide, Oshoala Pay tribute to Jota, Rufai

The Super Falcons of Nigeria got off to a great start in their opening game of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations(WAFCON), thumping Tunisia 3-0 on Sunday, July 6, 2025 at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Morocco.

Six-time African Player of the year Asisat Oshoala opened scoring for the nine-time WAFCON champions, heading home a delectable free-kick from Rinsola Babajide in the fourth minute. Oshoala who paid tribute to late Super Eagles legend Peter Rufai by wearing a wristband with his name written on it, made efforts to double in the 16th minute, but was met with a diversion from defender Norhene Bettoumi.

Toni Payne and Deborah Abiodun also made attempts to get the second goal for the Super Falcons in the 33rd and 37th minute respectively but they did not have enough power in their shots to do any damage. With several chances going begging, Rinsola Babajide whom had earlier asssisted Oshoala’s goal, scored the second right before the half, weaving through the Carthage Eagles’ defence from the left wing into the box and slotting in the ball beautifully.

The 27-year-old who was making her WAFCON debut, paid tribute to the late Liverpool star Diogo Jota after her goal, by replicating his iconic celebration. Jota tragically passed away in a car accident on Thursday, July 3, 2025, along with his brother.

Plying her trade currently with Spanish Liga F club UDG Tenerife, Babajide previously spent four seasons at Liverpool from (2018-2022), and won the player of the season award in the 2019/2020 season, wearing the number 20 jersey which was also won by Jota.

Just before the break, Ashleigh Plumptre who had earlier tried to slot in the ball ultimately headed in by Oshoala for the first goal, nodded in a corner from Babajide but it was disallowed. In the second half, Plumptre, forever adventurous, rattled Jabrani with a sharp shot, and four minutes later, substitute Esther Okoronkwo’s sharp delivery begged for connection.

Osinachi Ohale missed from close range as Nigeria chased the ball in a melee from a free-kick in the 62nd minute. At the other end, the veteran defender was fortunate not to be penalized after bringing down the lively Salma Zemzem in Nigeria’s vital area.

True to character, Okoronkwo bustled and hustled, and came pretty close with nine minutes left when she turned a defender and saw the ball hit the upfront from her shot.Three minutes later, she was jumping for joy when her knockdown, from Plumptre’s cross, found fellow substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo in the right place to slot the ball past Jabrani for Nigeria’s third.

In added time, Plumptre’s clever header almost got Jabrani befuddled, but there was still time for Zemzem to rattle goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie’s crossbar.

With the victory, the Super Falcons grabbed all three important points and will go into their second game of group B which will be against Botswana on Thursday, July 10, in high spirits.