In order to bring women football in particular and sport in general, on behalf of the scorum community extend our wishes to the latest African Women Cup of Nations champions a warm CONGRATULATIONS.
The Nigeria Super Falcon yesterday evening in Accra, Ghana lifted their 11th Women’s African Cup of Nation title in its 13th edition and third time in row to prove once again their dominance in Africa women football in a game that was decided by penalty shootout in the finals against the South Africa Banyana Banyana team. The South African side are yet to lift the trophy lost once for the 5th time in the finals.
This was also the third time both teams met in the finals of the tournament. Nigeria Super Falcons had during the 1995 and 2000 edition of the tournament defeated the Banyana Banyan and last night third defeat was not so much of a surprise.
The game which had ended in a hard fought 0-0 after the full 120 minutes saw both teams decided the winner by penalty kick. This was after Asisat Oshoala had missed a penalty given in the normal time to put Nigeria ahead when she shot her 76th minute penalty kick wide. Earlier in the tournament, the Banyana Banyana had shockingly defeated the Nigerian side in the first leg of the group stage and was looking good to repeat the same feat.
The Banyan Banyana displayed a comprehensive defensive composure to soak up the Super Falcon’s pressure when Asisat Oshoala first tested keeper Kaylin Swart in the third minute of the encounter with fine shot. Busisiswe Ndimeni later put the Nigeria keeper to action with a superb free kick that was saved. The Banyana Banyana has the ball possession but the Nigeria side were calling the attacking questions.
The Banyan defence was called to action when defender and Captain Jamine van Wyk stopped Oshoala from having a one-on-one situation with the keeper before the half time whistle.
The first half display continue in the second half as both teams made efforts on goals. Nigeria Francisca Ordega would have made it 1-0 but her shot went wide moments later. In the 74th Minute Ordega was fouled when keeper Swart conceded a penalty in her box but Oshoala terrible kick left the Nigeria fans in amazement.
The 83th minute saw Bayana defended as scramble free kick at the mouth of the post and substitute Mpumi Nyandeni’s shot later at the 85th minute at the Nigerian keeper was saved.
The game proceeded to extra time of 30 minutes with both side finding the winning goal Swart made a 95th minute save to deny Nigeria the lead. There was a golden opportunity for Kgatlana to put smiles on the South African fans faces but she spurned the chance. The 118th minutes free kick which was tipped of the bar by Tochukwu was the last shot to goal when Nyandemi delivered a fine direct kick at the post.
The Nigeria team was the first to miss their first penalty kick through Onome Ebi whose shot hit the post. The South Africa side missed their two penalty kick when Nigeria goal keeper Tochukwu Oluchi pulled a title clinching save when Linda Mothalo’s low final spot kick to the right of the keeper was handled out.
Both teams are now qualified to represent the continent in next year Women’s World Cup holding in France for reaching the finals including the runners up Cameroon that won the third place on Friday.
Many Nigerians have taken to different social media like twitter and facebook to congratulate the female national team and their coaches for this victory. From here in scorum, we say congratulations to them.
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