The Super Falcons on Tuesday cruised to a 4-1 win over their Algerian counterparts in the second of two international friendlies between both teams, with long-time absentee Folashade Ijamilusi bagging a hat-trick in the afternoon at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

True to his words, Farid Benstiti’s lasses started with more poise and assurance than they showed in the first game in Ikenne-Remo on Saturday, and on a couple of occasions, carved open opportunities in the Nigerian rear.

However, former junior international Ijamilusi opened scoring for Nigeria after 12 minutes, scoring from a corner-kick, and doubled the lead nine minutes later after latching onto a second ball following Blessing Ilivieda’s effort that cannoned off the crossbar.

Undaunted, the Green Ladies stepped up another gear, and could have reduced the tally in the 39^th minute when Nigeria conceded a penalty kick. But Lina Boussaha missed from the spot. Yet, two minutes later, they could have scored with a powerful shot by Laura Muller but goalkeeper Rachael Unachukwu saved.

However, Ouassila Alouache ghosted past the Nigerian defence in the 43^rd minute, to slot past Unachukwu for the Algerians’ only goal of the two-match tour.

Determined to retain their two-goal lead, the Super Falcons, who won the first encounter 2-0 with a brace from Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, increased the pressure on their visitors, and Gift Monday netted the third with a powerful header in added time of the first period.

An entertaining second half produced only one goal, with Ijamilusi assuring her hat-trick with minutes left in the second half.

The impressive run of the Nigerian U-17 Women’s team, Flamingos has come to an end at the FIFA U17 World Cup in the Dominican Republic after their 2-0 loss to the United States in the quarterfinals.

Yes, they were beaten, but not outplayed.  They had 45% possession of the ball as against America’s 40% while 15% is in contention.

Flamingos had 17 attempts at goal and had held their defence so well until the late first-half penalty kick that broke the camel’s back.

In the final analysis, Kennedy Fuller’s first-half penalty and Kimmi Ascanio’s late goal lifted USA over Nigeria and into the Dominican Republic 2024 semi-finals.

It was a rematch of their epic quarter-final from India 2022, USA avenged their penalty shootout defeat against Nigeria with a victory in their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024™ quarter-final at CFC Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros. It sends USA to the semi-finals for the first time since the inaugural edition in 2008.

Two exquisite first-half strikes by Captain Rasheedat Ajibade in Ikenne-Remo on Saturday earned nine-time African champions Nigeria victory over visiting Algeria in the first of two international friendly matches between both countries.

First, Ajibade galloped past an unsuspecting rearguard of the Green Ladies and heaved the ball over and above the advancing goalkeeper Amel Salah for Nigeria’s first goal in the 24^th minute, following a good pass by defender Oluwatosin Demehin.

Then, just before the half-time whistle of referee Christelle Ligan, the Spain-based attacking midfielder collected the ball from Folashade Ijamilusi as Nigeria broke forward, and unleashed a rocket from 22 yards that flew straight into the top corner, ignoring goalkeeper Salah’s tame attempt at stopping it.

An entertaining game at the best privately-owned sport infrastructure in the country – Remo Stars Sports Complex – also saw Esther Onyenezide miss from close range in the 44^th minute, and Ijamilusi was thwarted by Salah in the 66^th and 90^th minute.

Defender Blessing Ilivieda contends for the ball with Algeria’s Ines Boutaleb. 

Algeria’s best chance came in the 75^th minute, but forward Gladys Ikene saw her chip glide past the goal after escaping the attention of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

“We have a young team and the players are trying to understand each other better with each passing game. We love this type of matches that help our telepathy and cohesion.

“Nigeria is a strong team globally and we are not ashamed to lose to them. However, I believe we will have a better game on Tuesday because we have learnt some things here today,” Coach Farid Benstiti said after the final whistle.

Super Falcons’ Coach, Justine Madugu, said: “We are on a rebuilding process and I must say that a good number of the home-based professionals impressed me. Ajibade, as always, led from the front and gave us great balance going forward.

“Now, we are looking forward to the encounter on Tuesday to build on what we have been able to do here.”