Toni Payne Ends Five-Year Super Falcons Goal Drought in 2-1 Friendly Win Over Senegal

Super Falcons midfielder Toni Payne has broken a near five-year scoring drought for Nigeria, netting in a 2-1 international friendly victory over Senegal at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State on Friday, 5 June 2026.

Veteran forward Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Payne added a second, driving the ball low past the goalkeeper to double Nigeria’s advantage. Senegal pulled one back, but the ten-time African champions held on for a positive result ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking after the final whistle, Payne made clear how much the moment meant to her. “I’m happy to score for the Falcons after almost five years, so it’s just really good to do it here in Nigeria,” she said in her post-match media interaction. The midfielder acknowledged the added significance of registering the goal on home soil in front of Nigerian supporters.

The fixture against Senegal is one of two planned preparatory friendlies between the two nations, with a second match scheduled for Monday at the same venue in Ikenne. The back-to-back games form part of Nigeria’s structured preparation for the continental showpiece.

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted by Morocco and represents a particularly high-stakes tournament for participating nations. Beyond the pursuit of continental honours, the competition doubles as Africa’s primary qualification route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The top four finishers at WAFCON will earn automatic berths at the World Cup, while two additional teams will progress to inter-confederation play-offs.

As defending WAFCON champions, the Super Falcons have been placed in Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt, and Malawi — a competitive pool that will demand a strong performance from Randy Waldrum’s side from the outset. Several African nations have significantly increased their investment in women’s football ahead of this edition, making the tournament one of the most anticipated in recent memory.

Nigeria’s combination of Oshoala’s clinical finishing from the spot and Payne’s long-awaited return to the scoresheet will offer the coaching staff encouragement heading into Monday’s rematch and, beyond that, the WAFCON campaign in Morocco.