Harambee Starlets ended their Africa Women Cup of Nations debut in a heavy 4-0 loss to Super Falcons of Nigeria in Group B match played at Omnisport Stadium in Cameroon.
Goals from Ngozi Okobi and Faith Ikidi, Asisat Oshoala, and Oparanozie Desire secured a comfortrable win that unabled Super Falcons to book a place in the semi-finals where they will face South Africa.
Super Falcons got off the better of the two teams and taking a two-goal lead after only seven minutes capitalising on the sloppy Starlets defence.
Midfielder Ngozi Okobi crowned her first start of the competition with the opener on three minutes before Faith Ikidi headed home the second four minutes later.
The Harambee Starlets soon came out of their shell with some delightful passing from Mary Wanjiku, Esse Akida and Janet Bundi. The Nigerians remained dominant and Uchechi Sunday should have increased the tally on 23 minutes after Asisat Oshoala put her through, but she shot across the face of goal.
David Ouma was forced to make his first substitution on 36 minutes when Bundi was stretched off following an aerial battle with Nigerian defender Onome Ebi. Her place was taken by Vivian Corazone.
Oshoala took the game beyond the debutants with the third goal eight minutes after recess and take her tally to six so far.
Substitute Desire Oparanozie put the icing on the cake on 89 minutes with a cool finish from a Francisca Ordega assist.
In another Group B match Ghana beat Mali 3-1 in a match that was played at Adhijo Stadium in Younde.
Black Queens scored the opener came on the stroke of half time through Linda Eshun.
Moments after rensumption of second half, Yusif Basigi’s charges went on rampage.Samira Suleman made it 2-0 in the 68th minute, before stand-in skipper, Elizabeth Addo scored the third goal in the 73rd minute to register her personal third goal of the tournament-all from the spot-kick.
Mali got a consolation goal through Binta Diarra late in the 87th minute.
Ghana will face Cameroon in the other semifinal that will be on Tuesday.
