AWCON 2016: Nigeria, Cameroon For Final

Nigeria’s Super Falcons remain on course for a 10th women’s AFCON final after they beat South Africa 1-0 to now face hosts Cameroon in the championship game on Saturday.

Desire Oparanozie was the hero for the Nigerian ladies in yesterday’s semi final clash as her thunderous second half free kick proved to be enough to hand the Falcons a 1-0 win over the hard fighting Bayana Bayana of South Africa.

Interestingly, it was the first start for Oparanozie in this competition and she proved she deserved the role with the strike that has taken the Falcons into the final.

South Africa had a goal chalked off in the first half for offside, otherwise Nigeria dominated with the magical Ngozi Okobi and skipper Rita Chikwelu pulling the strings in midfield.

Late in the game, Ugo Njoku almost caused an own goal but goalkeeper Alaba Jonathan was alert to keep out the danger, before Faith Ikidi made two goal line clearances in quick succession as Banyana Banyana poured forward in a bid to draw level.

Saturday’s final will be a repeat of the 2014 championship game in Namibia which Nigeria won 2-0 at the expense of the Cameroonians.

Ghana and South Africa will play the third-place game on Friday.

Meanwhile, Hosts Cameroon today pipped Ghana 1-0 to advance to their fourth women’s AFCON final on Saturday in Yaounde.

They await the winners of the second semi-final between Nigeria and South Africa for the championship game.

The match winner for Cameroon was Raissa Feudjio, who smashed home from a goalmouth scramble after 72 minutes.

Cameroon were the better team, they created more chances in their search for the opening goal and deserved their victory as the Black Queens soaked the pressure for most of this contest.

On Saturday in front of their own fans the Lionesses will hope to extend their winning streak at this tournament by winning their first final after losing their previous three finals.

Two years ago, they lost 2-0 to Nigeria in the final in Namibia.