Nigeria secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Algeria on Tuesday afternoon with Edo Queens’ star Folashade Ijamilusi bagging a sensational hat-trick and Gift Monday adding another at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Falcons claimed a 2-0 win over the Fennecs in the first leg of their international friendly last week and confirmed their dominance over the North Africans in Lagos.
Nigeria’s opening goal came just nine minutes in, with Ijamilusi capitalising on a rebound following a header from Gift Monday off Blessing Ilivieda’s corner.
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Ijamilusi doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 17th minute, reacting swiftly to a deflection from Blessing Osigwe’s shot, set up by a line-breaking pass from Atletico Madrid midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade.
Her quick reactions in the box put Nigeria firmly in control early in the game.
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Despite Nigeria’s control, Algeria pulled one back just before halftime.
Substitute Wassila Alouache, brought on in the 39th minute for Bouzid Wissem, found the net in the 44th minute after Nigeria’s goalkeeper Udoka Unachukwu failed to secure Abadou Lea’s shot, allowing Alouache to convert the rebound.
Alouache entered the record books as the first-ever Algerian player to score against the Super Falcons.
Nigeria's women's national team had kept four consecutive clean sheets against the Fennecs since their first meeting in 2006.
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Nigeria answered quickly, restoring their two-goal cushion before the break. Another corner from Onyenezide met Gift Monday, who rose high to beat Algerian goalkeeper Salah Amel with a powerful header.
Though the Super Falcons created several opportunities in the second half, it wasn’t until the 86th minute that they extended their lead.
Ijamilusi completed her hat-trick with a close-range finish following a cross from Shukurat Oladipo that Algerian keeper Salah Amel failed to hold.
This capped a 6-1 aggregate win for Nigeria over two legs against Algeria.
The Super Falcons will be among the favourites to win the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next year.
