Omewa: Scoring for Nigeria Was a Dream Come True for Me

The moment Joy Omewa rose to head in Shukurat Oladipo’s cross in the 49th minute against Senegal, she became something she had not yet been a scorer for the Super Falcons. What followed six minutes later, when she stole possession from a Senegalese defender and finished with the composure of a player who had been scoring at this level for years, turned that debut goal into a brace. Writing on social media after the final whistle, Omewa described the feeling in the clearest possible terms. She was grateful to score her first two goals for Nigeria, she said. A dream come true for her and her family.

The Nottingham Forest forward, who joined the City Ground club from Fortuna Hjørring in January 2026, had given Nigerian women’s football supporters an indication of what she was capable of even before Monday’s match. She had been sharp in the Super Falcons’ first friendly against Senegal, which ended 2-1 to Nigeria, and Justine Madugu had clearly seen enough across that first outing to start her again for the second fixture. Against a Senegal side that had kept the score level at half time despite sustained Nigerian pressure, Oladipo’s cross provided exactly the right opportunity, and Omewa delivered. Supporters wanting to follow Omewa and the Super Falcons through the WAFCON tournament in Morocco can catch all the latest offers ahead of the competition through Bet9ja’s virtual sports page and the full pre-match Bet9ja options available for the group stage fixtures.

How Both Goals Arrived

The first goal was a header. Madugu had made five changes to the starting lineup from the first friendly, with Chiamaka Nnadozie starting in goal and Omewa given a place in attack alongside several senior players. The half time whistle came with the score still goalless despite Nigeria having dominated possession and created multiple chances, including an effort from Omewa herself that struck the upright in the first half. Four minutes into the second half, Oladipo delivered the cross that changed everything. Omewa arrived at precisely the right moment and powered the ball home with her head for her first international goal.

The second was entirely different in character. Where the first required timing and aerial quality, the second required physicality, presence of mind, and clinical finishing. Omewa challenged a Senegalese defender for the ball, won possession, and finished calmly past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0. The confidence in that second goal, the willingness to press for the ball rather than wait for it, was the kind of detail that coaches remember and that teammates notice. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade then created the third, driving forward and squaring for Asisat Oshoala, who had come on as a substitute to replace Omewa, to complete the scoring at 3-0. The aggregate across the two friendlies against Senegal finished at 5-1 to Nigeria, a statement preparation result with WAFCON less than seven weeks away. Fans tracking the Super Falcons’ preparations and backing Nigeria in WAFCON can find the latest content at FootballInNigeria.com.ng’s Bet9ja promotion code page ahead of Morocco.

What Monday’s Performance Adds to Her WAFCON Case

Omewa now has two goals in three appearances for the Super Falcons. That rate of return, combined with the manner in which both goals came against a Senegal side that had been difficult to break down in the first half, makes her a genuine contender for a starting role in Nigeria’s Group C campaign at WAFCON 2026. Madugu’s squad will face Egypt, Zambia, and tournament debutants Malawi in the group stage, and the coach will want options across his attacking line that can deliver in tight matches as well as in the kind of flowing performance Nigeria produced in the second half on Monday.

The player herself offered exactly the kind of public acknowledgement that connects a new face to an established fanbase. Sharing the celebration on social media with a message directed at her coaches, teammates, and supporters, she drew attention to what the moment meant not just professionally but personally. For a player who made the move from Danish football to the Premier League in January and was then called up to the national team in the same window, scoring in both matches of a back-to-back double-header against an African opponent less than five months into her Forest career represents a start at international level she will not forget.

The Wider Picture for Nigeria Heading to Morocco

Nigeria arrive at WAFCON 2026 as defending champions and the most successful women’s national team in the tournament’s history, with ten titles. The 5-1 aggregate against Senegal confirms they are travelling to Morocco with form, depth, and the combination of established stars and emerging contributors that Madugu has been building for several months. Oshoala’s goal off the bench on Monday demonstrated that the senior players who are not starting every fixture remain sharp and capable of impact when called upon. Omewa’s brace showed that the newer additions to the squad have arrived with the technical level and competitive mentality required at continental level.

WAFCON 2026 runs from July 25 to August 16. Nigeria’s first group game against an opponent still to be confirmed in their Group C schedule will be the moment the tournament preparation period gives way to the real thing. What Monday’s second friendly confirmed is that there is at least one new name in the Super Falcons’ attacking options who has already shown she belongs. For all of Nigeria’s WAFCON fixtures and coverage throughout the Morocco tournament, the latest news and Bet9ja pre-match offers are available at Nigeria’s top Bet9ja promotion code page throughout the competition.