Falcons abroad: Ajibade, Oshoala, Ohale brilliant in Spain

The Nigerian ladies contributed to the victory of their respective sides in the Spanish elite division on Wednesday

Super Falcons star Osinachi Ohale grabbed the second goal for Deportivo Alaves as they powered to a 2-1 defeat of Madrid at the Ciudad Deportiva José Luis Compañón in a game week 17 contest of the Primera Division Femenina.

The 30-year-old defender got her third goal of the campaign on the hour mark to double Alaves’ lead, and it proved to be the match-winner as the visitors pulled one back deep into stoppage time.

Compatriot and international teammate Rita Chikwelu featured for the entire duration of the game for Madrid.

Elsewhere, Valencia fell to a humiliating 5-0 home loss to Atletico Madrid, with Super Falcons forward Rasheedat Ajibade claiming two of the visitors’ goals.

It was the 22-year-old’s second brace in consecutive games, having scored twice in Atletico’s 6-1 thrashing of Real Betis in their last game of 2021 on December 18.

Ajibade has now found the back of the net five times in 12 league appearances.

Last year, the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations winner managed just one goal in 18 games for the Spanish side, clocking just 355 minutes.

At the Estadi Johan Cruyff, Asisat Oshoala came off the bench to help Barcelona fly to a commanding 5-0 win over Sporting de Huelva.

The champions were only ahead by a lone goal when the Nigerian international was introduced in the 56th minute.

And Oshoala assisted Lieke Martens’ third goal as the coach Jonatan Giráldez-tutored side smashed four past their hapless opponents in the second half.

Oshoala is enjoying another excellent campaign in the Spanish top-flight, with the four-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year netting 12 goals in only 11 league games for Barcelona.

The former Arsenal striker’s 18 goals in 26 matches lifted Barcelona to the league title last season.