Nigeria won their second group game
at the 2012 AWC 3-0 against Ethiopia
in Bata, but they were far from
convincing.
The Ethiopians were more
comfortable on the ball, while the
defending champions made heavy
weather of this game until after more
than an hour of action before they
put the game beyond their less
fancied opponents.
Esther Sunday broke the deadlock in
the 26th minute after a catalogue of
misses by the Nigerians with Esther
the culprit in the ninth minute with a
poor first touch when she was face-to-
face with the goalkeeper.
The Ethiopians gave good account of
themselves with good exchange of
passes in their own half, but they
hardly threatened Precious Dede in
goal for Nigeria as she was virtually on
holidays.
Stella Mbachu's rocket inside the 18-
yard box in the 65th minute poured
cold water on the ambitious
Ethiopians, who enjoyed more
possession for the better part of
second half.
Perpetua Nkwocha made it 3-0 for
Nigeria when she rounded the
goalkeeper before putting the ball
into an empty net.
Two other goals were chalked off for
offside, but Nigeria could not really
impose themselves on a game they
were expected to run up the scores
against a team who lost 5-0 to Cote
d'Ivoire in their first match.
