The narrative surrounding the Super Falcons shifted dramatically on Tuesday night. Just three days after a disjointed, experimental side fell to a shock defeat against Cameroon, the Nigerian squad roared back to life, executing a precise 3-1 tactical revenge in Yaoundé.
Following the mounting pressure on manager Justine Madugu regarding his team’s readiness for the upcoming WAFCON 2026 in Morocco, the second leg of this friendly series served as a definitive statement of intent.
Madugu, acknowledging the limitations of his heavily rotated, second-string lineup in the previous encounter, opted for a decisive personnel change. Reinstating the “big hitters” proved to be the catalyst for the turnaround.
The match began with a flicker of tension when the hosts broke the deadlock just seven minutes into the contest, threatening a repeat of the first-leg disappointment. However, the Super Falcons remained composed. In the 32nd minute, Chinwendu Ihezuo leveled the score, capitalizing on a clinical cross provided by Rinsola Babajide.
The momentum shifted decisively just before the interval when Babajide transitioned from provider to protagonist, netting a goal of her own to give Nigeria a 2-1 lead heading into the break.
While the collective effort was vital, the night undeniably belonged to Rinsola Babajide. The Roma forward’s goal-and-assist performance was the heartbeat of the Nigerian attack.
Her influence extended into the second half, where the team’s defensive and attacking transition play left the Indomitable Lionesses with no answer. After the hour mark, defender Michelle Alozie put the game out of reach with a thunderous header, finishing a sequence sparked by the relentless work rate of captain Rasheedat Ajibade.
“That’s My Girl. Babajide Of Naija,” — A fan reaction via social media.
The acclaim was instantaneous. Across social media, fans and teammates alike were quick to celebrate the 27-year-old’s impact. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie succinctly captured the mood with a simple, appreciative shoutout, while others went as far as christening the forward their “Nigerian Neymar Jr.”
Reflecting on the victory, Babajide praised the squad’s resilience, describing the win as a “great reaction” to the recent setback.
For the Super Falcons, this result provides much-needed clarity and confidence as they head into the WAFCON 2026 tournament in Morocco later this month. With their rhythm restored and stars like Babajide in clinical form, the reigning queens appear ready to defend their crown.
