Okobi-Okeoghene opens NSL account with brace in Ottawa Rapid victory
Nigeria veteran Ngozi Sonia Okobi-Okeoghene produced a memorable performance on Sunday, scoring twice as Ottawa Rapid FC defeated Calgary Wild FC 3-1 in the Northern Super League at TD Place Stadium.
The Nigerian midfielder opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Johanne Fridlund doubled Ottawa’s advantage in the 25th minute as the hosts established control of the encounter.
Okobi-Okeoghene completed her brace in the 78th minute, responding almost immediately after Calgary had reduced the deficit through Frédérique St-Jean a minute earlier.
The two goals marked Okobi-Okeoghene’s first goals in the Northern Super League and came in her first start of the season for Ottawa Rapid.
Her opening goal arrived after Florence Belzile delivered a cross into the box, with Fridlund helping the ball on before Okobi-Okeoghene finished to put Ottawa ahead.
Fridlund then added the second goal in the 25th minute, converting another attacking move to give the hosts a 2-0 lead going into half-time.
Calgary returned with greater urgency after the interval and eventually pulled one goal back through St-Jean in the 77th minute.
Ottawa responded almost immediately, however, as Okobi-Okeoghene collected a pass from Keera Melenhorst and fired a powerful effort from outside the box past the Calgary goalkeeper to restore the two-goal advantage.
The victory ended Ottawa Rapid’s five-match losing streak and lifted the club back into second place in the six-team Northern Super League standings with 36 points.
Ottawa now sit three points behind league leaders Montreal Roses with four matches remaining in the regular season.
The Canadian club also maintained its strong record against Calgary, improving its season series against the Wild to four wins and one draw.
Okobi-Okeoghene’s performance adds another positive chapter to her career in Canada and underlines the experience she continues to bring to Ottawa Rapid.
The Nigerian international will now look to build on the performance when Ottawa travel to face AFC Toronto on Saturday, September 26.
