Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Saturday in Gisenyi whip lashed hosts Rwanda 4-1 in a first leg African Women Championship qualifier, but coach Edwin Okon regretted wasted chances.
Coach Edwin Okon said it was a good game but said it should have been more if they had taken the numerous chances created.
“It is a good game, a good win. We did not expect it to be this easy but we take positive in the team work of the girls. They lost so many scoring chances and we shall go back and work on them to ensure that they do not repeat the misses again in Nigeria,” he said.
Falcons started the game brightly by dominating proceedings but threw away so many scoring chances they created.
Rising star Asisat Oshoala, however, opened scoring in the 37th minute with a volley inside the box.
Three minutes later, the rampaging Desire Oparanozie who was the tormentor -in -chief set up Asisat to put Super Falcons two goals up.
It should have been more before interval, but poor shooting denied the Falcons a more comfortable lead.
Falcons made it three on resumption when captain Evelyn Nwabuoku found Esther Sunday, who beat Rwanda goalkeeper with a low shot.
Thereafter, it was the Falcons against the She-Amavubi goalkeeper, who pulled off several good saves.
Rwanda pulled a goal back in the 65th minute, when Clementine Mukamana’s free kick beat Precious Dede in goal for Nigeria.
Stunned by the goal the Nigerian girls piled pressure on their hosts and Oparanozie was brought down inside the box and she rose to convert the resultant penalty kick for Falcons fourth goal in the match.
“I’m happy with the players performance especially their approach to the game, we’ll continue to work on their confidence to get it to perfection,” said Okon.
The winners over the two-legged fixture will qualify for the 2014 African Women’s Championship (AWC) in Namibia from October 11 to 24. The biennial African football showpiece will serve as qualifiers for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.