Barcelona and Nigeria Forward, Asisat Oshoala was among the goal scorers as Nigeria secured a hard fought 3-2 win against co-hosts Australia on Thursday in the Women’s World Cup, a win that saw Nigeria move to the top of Group B.
Australia jumped ahead in the first half with a beautiful goal from Emily van Egmond following a quick series of decisive passes through the Nigerian defense. Cortnee Vine played in a perfect cross to fellow aussie Caitlin Ford who laid it on For Emily to finish.
But Nigeria equalised soon afterwards with Uchenna Kanu’s fast reaction to a loose ball from the australian defence, before Osinachi Ohale’s header provided by the returning Rasheedat Ajibade made it 2-1.
Asisat Oshoala got yellow carded after she scored after a mix-up between Australia’s Alanna Kennedy and Mackenzie Arnold and Nigeria held on, despite Alanna Kennedy scoring late on.
Nigeria move top to the top Group B, level with Olympic Champions Canada on four points, while Australia retain their three points behind both before the last matches in the section on Monday.
Australia are billed to face Canada in Melbourne and would need nothing short of a win to secure a place in the knockout stages, while Nigeria will play already-eliminated Republic of Ireland at the same time in Brisbane.