A goalless first half gave way to second-half goals from Michelle Alozie and Uchenna Kanu as the Super Falcons beat Comoros 2-0 in Ikenne, Footynaija.com reports.
Augustine Eguavoen, in temporary charge after the WAFCON quarter-final exit and the missed 2027 World Cup, went without Asisat Oshoala, Ashleigh Plumptre and Oluwatosin Demehin.
Michelle Alozie opened the scoring in the 48th minute after Gift Monday knocked the ball down. Uchenna Kanu, the Cruz Azul forward, headed in Jennifer Echegini’s corner around the hour to make it 2-0.
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Here are the Super Falcons players ratings from the match:
Chiamaka Nnadozie — 7
The Brighton goalkeeper had a quiet night once Nigeria settled, and she kept the sheet clean on a night when the Super Falcons needed a calm start under a caretaker coach.
Christy Ucheibe — 6.5
The Al-Hilal midfielder was asked to play in the back line and did the holding work without fuss before the second-half goals changed the mood.
Shukurat Oladipo — 6.5
The Roma defender dealt with what little Comoros threw forward and kept the shape for Alozie to step out and score.
Michelle Alozie — 8
The Chicago Stars defender took Monday’s knock-down and finished the opener just after the break. That goal broke a flat first half.
Glory Ogbonna — 6.5
The Besiktas full-back offered width and stayed tidy on a night when Nigeria were always the team with the ball.
Joy Igbokwe — 6.5
The Nasarawa Amazons midfielder started on her Super Falcons debut and held her place through a quiet first half before the seniors took over after the break.
Toni Payne — 7
The Inter Milan midfielder kept the ball moving and gave Echegini and Ajibade a platform once Nigeria pushed higher.
Jennifer Echegini — 7.5
The PSG midfielder supplied the corner Kanu headed in and was the player who raised the tempo after half-time.
Uchenna Kanu — 7.5
The Cruz Azul forward got on the end of Echegini’s corner and doubled the lead. A useful night in Oshoala’s absence.
Gift Monday — 7
The Washington Spirit striker knocked the ball down for Alozie’s opener and gave Nigeria a focal point up front.
Rasheedat Ajibade — 7
The PSG captain wore the armband and kept the wide play going. She did not score, but the night still ran through her side of the pitch.
