Super Falcons forward, Toni Payne, has expressed her joy after finding the back of the net for Nigeria for the first time in nearly five years during the team’s 2–1 international friendly victory over Senegal on Friday in Ikenne, Ogun State.
Nigeria secured the win in the preparatory encounter through first-half goals from Asisat Oshoala and Payne. The match formed part of both teams’ preparations for upcoming continental assignments.
Oshoala opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Payne extended Nigeria’s advantage, giving the Super Falcons a comfortable 2–0 lead heading into the halftime interval.
Senegal responded after the break with a goal to reduce the deficit, but the nine-time African champions maintained control of proceedings and held on to claim the victory.
Reflecting on her goal after the match, Payne said in the post-match presser, “I’m happy to score (for the Falcons) after almost five years so just really good to do it here in Nigeria.”
The two sides are scheduled to face each other again on Monday at the same venue in Ikenne as they continue preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will also serve as Africa’s qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Nigeria have been placed in Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi. The top four teams at the tournament will earn automatic qualification for the World Cup, while two other nations will advance to the inter-confederation playoff stage.
