Nigeria Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala has commended her teammates for the great display of teamwork in their 6-0 win over Mali on Sunday as they launched their title defense in perfect style at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

In a clearcut one-sided face off, the seven-time record champions dominated play from kickoff with the Nigerian forward lineup troubling the Malian defensive pairing manned by Aminata Sacko and Oumou Tangara who had an evening to forget.

Oshoala, who put four past the Malians said, “It is not about myself. It is not about the Asisat of the 2014 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations. It is about Nigeria, the national team and about how the game kept going, how the team plays and whoever is in the best position to score goals.”

The Arsenal Ladies forward opened her goalscoring account at the tournament in the 40th minute when she doubled the Super Falcons lead following Ordega Francesca’s opener in the 21st minute.

“It is just our first game and in the first 15 or 20 minutes, we tried to get ourselves into the game to make sure that we do not concede a goal which is a normal thing for every game. When we went into the dressing room, we told ourselves that we can do better because we know we are a better team any time, any day. That was just about it and that is what the players showed in the second half.”

Sunday Uchechi converted from the spot to make it 3-0 two minutes after the break but it took Oshoala just 14 minutes to score three quick fire goals to spur her journey for the battle of the Golden Boot, however, the softly spoken 2015 BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year insists Nigeria’s win was down to the determination and commitment of everyone on the team.

"It is not that I came to this competition saying that I want to be the best player or best goalscorer of the tournament but I am just here to make sure that I make my country proud and let the whole of Africa know that we are in this because our last outing was not the best at the All Africa Games but this is just our way of making a statement in Africa that we are still in the game and not out yet,” she added.

Nigeria finished a forgettable fourth after losing to Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in the third place playoff to register their worst ever finish at the quadrennial games and Oshoala is keen to remind the naysayers that Nigeria is still a powerhouse in women’s football.

The Super Falcons face their biggest task in Group B when they take on Ghana on November 23 at Limbe Stadium at 15:00 GMT.

•Credit (except headline): supersport.com. Photo shows Asisat Oshoala celebrating one of her goals . . . on Sunday against Mali in Cameroon.

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