Super Falcons of Nigeria forward, Asisat Oshoala scored a hat-trick in the team’s last group match against Equatorial Guinea at the ongoing African Women’s Cup of Nations hosted by Ghana.
The Nigerian side won the decisive encounter 6 – 0 to pick a semi-final place against Cameroon on Tuesday. As early as the 10′ minute, the goals started raining with the first being a well-laid pass by the team captain Rita Chikwelu to Francisca Ordega who calmly slotted the ball in between the legs of the Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper.
Desire Oparanozie’s assist in the 13′ minute led to Asisat Oshoala’s first goal through a header. The reigning African Woman Footballer of the Year scored a brace in the 30′ minute. She grabbed a hat trick in the 34′ minute following a rebounded effort.
The first half ended with the Super Falcons leading by 4 – 0. As soon as the second half commenced, Francisca Ordega pacy runs and skillful pass to Desire Oparanozie resulted to a goal as the top striker neatly tucked it into the net for Nigeria’s fifth goal in the 48′ minute.
Nigeria captian, Rita Chikwelu completed the rout in the 63′ minute as she beat the offside trap to score the sixth goal. Nigeria will face biennial rivals Cameroun in the Ghanian capital, Accra on Tuesday for the semi-final encounter.
In the other last group match for Group B, South Africa and COSAFA neighbours Zambia played a 1 – 1 draw. With that, South Africa tops Group B with seven points while Nigeria have six points and the both teams have qualified.
South Africa will face Mali in the semi-final. The top three things will be Africa’s representatives at next year’s FIFA World Cup hosted in France.
