Even without injured skipper Asisat Oshoala, the Super Falcons did enough to fly past a decent Cote d’Ivoire side 2-0 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja today.
Ifeoma Onumonu, a direct replacement for Oshoala who hurt her hamstrings in training and is out for even the second game, bagged a brace to give the reigning African champions a home win ahead of the return leg in Abidjan five days from today.
She opened scored in the 21st minute, when she shot home after she was set up inside the box by Esther Okoronkwo.
She then completed her brace on 56 minutes, when she lobbed the ball over the advancing Ivorian goalkeeper.
The Ivorians were denied by outstanding France-based goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who made at least two decent saves.
The Lady Elephants chased the game, but the home team were resolute in defending their two-goal lead.
Leicester City defender Ashleigh Plumptre shone on her Super Falcons debut
The overall winners of this tie will advance to the tournament proper in Morocco in the summer.
