Nigeria W vs Tanzania W

Nigeria controlled the opening exchanges and took a deserved lead in the 15th minute. Ajibade, the Super Falcons captain, finished smartly to put her side 1-0 ahead. The goal came from open play after sustained Nigerian pressure.

Tanzania grew into the contest as the half wore on but could not breach Nigeria's defence before the break, with the hosts taking a 1-0 lead into half-time — consistent with the provider data showing HT 1-0.

Tanzania found their equaliser around the 71st minute, restoring parity and setting up a tense finale. The goal was a sucker-punch for Nigeria, who had largely controlled proceedings.

With the match seemingly destined for a draw, Okoronkwo delivered the decisive moment. The substitute converted a pass from Ajibade in the 89th minute, sparking celebrations among the Nigerian camp in their final warm-up fixture before the continental championship.

Coach Justin Madugu's decision to introduce Esther Okoronkwo from the bench proved the match-winner. With Nigeria unable to break Tanzania's resistance after the equaliser, Okoronkwo's fresh legs and sharp movement provided the cutting edge in the final third. Her 89th-minute strike — a well-taken finish from Ajibade's pass — turned a frustrating draw into a morale-boosting victory (Sources: Voice of Nigeria; Ademola Victor TV/Facebook).

Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria W) — The captain led by example, scoring the opener in the 15th minute and providing the assist for Okoronkwo's winner. Her influence in the final third was decisive across both goals. Player of the match.

Esther Okoronkwo (Nigeria W) — The impact substitute scored the 89th-minute winner within minutes of entering the pitch, vindicating the coach's tactical call.

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria W) — The first-choice goalkeeper, reliable between the posts, though she was beaten once by Tanzania's equaliser. Kept Nigeria in the game during Tanzania's best spell after the break.

The provider data confirms a 2-1 scoreline with a 1-0 half-time lead, indicating Nigeria were the dominant side in the opening period but allowed Tanzania back into the contest after the restart. The match was played behind closed doors, meaning no attendance figures are available. The friendly was Nigeria's only warm-up fixture before WAFCON 2026, adding weight to the result as a confidence builder ahead of competitive action.

Victory gives Nigeria a perfect send-off before the 2026 WAFCON, which begins in Morocco. The Super Falcons, seeking a record-extending 11th continental title, open their Group A campaign against Malawi on 28 July 2026, before facing Zambia and Egypt. The win builds momentum, but the real test begins in the tournament proper.

For Tanzania, the defeat is a reality check ahead of their own WAFCON campaign, though the competitive performance against African heavyweights will offer encouragement.

A functional, if not entirely convincing, friendly win for Nigeria. The first-half performance was strong, but the second-half equaliser exposed vulnerabilities that stronger opponents at WAFCON may exploit. Okoronkwo's late winner masks some underlying concerns, but the morale boost of a last-gasp victory is valuable preparation for the tournament ahead.