By Rosemary Ugiomoh
Ikenne was hot, the pitch dust kicking up with every sprint, and Remo Stars Stadium felt smaller than it was. Every chant from the stands bounced off the walls.
Senegal’s Lionesses came in hungry. They scored first in the 23rd minute — a clean header off a corner that silenced the home crowd for 10 seconds. 1-0. The Falcons looked stunned.
But the Super Falcons didn’t panic. They’ve been here before.
Rasheedat Ajibade leveled it right before halftime, cutting inside and curling one into the top corner. 1-1. The stadium exhaled, then roared. You could feel the momentum shift.
Second half was a chess match. Senegal’s defense was organized, physical, and fast. Nigeria kept probing down the wings. Then in the 78th minute, Osinachi Ohale rose highest from a corner and powered it home. 2-1.
The last 12 minutes were chaos. Lionesses threw everything forward. Crosses, shots, desperate runs. Chiamaka Nnadozie stood tall in goal, pulling off 2 clutch saves to keep Nigeria ahead.
Not a World Cup final, not 3 points for the table. Just a friendly. But friendlies between these two are never “just” anything. It was a test, a statement, and a reminder: when the Falcons fly in Ikenne, they’re tough to clip.
