Nigeria make bright start in African Women's soccer tournament

Kaduna (Nigeria) 18 Oct '98 -- The inaugural African Women's Football Championship got under way in Kaduna on Saturday with hosts Nigeria trouncing Morocco 8-0 and Democratic Congo Republic beating Egypt 4-1. The Nigerian team dominated the match from the very beginning with Nkiru Okosieme opening the scoring in the 17th minute.

Patience Avre made it 2-0 for the host team in the 30th minute and Okosieme scored again just before the interval. The second half saw the host team enjoying greater advantage. Rita Nwadike hit twice while captain Omagbemi, Mercy Akide and Avre scored a goal each to seal up the 8-0 victory for the Nigerians.

Eight teams are participating in the championship with Nigeria, Morocco, Democratic Congo Republic and Egypt in Group A, and Ghana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Cameroon in Group B. The top two finishers of the championship will represent Africa in the Women's World Cup to be held in the United States in 1999. GRi