Nigeria and Everton midfielder Toni Payne has expressed her delight after ending a five-year international goal drought in emphatic fashion, netting the decisive second goal as the Super Falcons beat Senegal 2-1 in an international friendly at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne on Friday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
It served as a significant personal milestone for the midfielder ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Payne struck four minutes before half-time after being found by an excellent pass from Shukurat Oladipo, composing herself inside the box to finish low beyond the Senegal goalkeeper and double Nigeria’s advantage.
It was only her second goal in 46 appearances for the Super Falcons, with her previous strike coming back in 2021 — a drought that had persisted despite Payne becoming an increasingly prominent figure in the national team’s midfield over that period.
“I’m happy to score after almost five years, so just really good to do it here in Nigeria,” Payne said after the game.
Asisat Oshoala had given Nigeria the lead in the 31st minute, stepping up to convert a penalty after a handball inside the Senegal area with the composure expected of the country’s all-time leading scorer.
Senegal pulled one back through Sokhna Nogaye’s long-range effort in the 86th minute to set up a tense closing spell, but Nigeria held on for a deserved victory.
The goal was a particularly fitting moment for Payne, given the journey she has taken to become a regular figure for the Super Falcons.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, to parents of Nigerian descent, she represented the United States at youth level — including the United States U-17 side that won the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship — before switching her international allegiance to Nigeria in 2019. She made her senior debut for the Super Falcons on February 18, 2021.
The Super Falcons, who have been drawn in Group C of the 2026 WAFCON alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi as defending champions, will face Senegal again on Monday, June 8, in the second match of their friendly double-header as head coach Justin Madugu continues to assess his options ahead of the tournament.
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