Super Falcons Are 2014 African Women's Champions Again!

Nigeria’s Super Falcons won the 9th edition of the African Women Championship on Saturday evening following their 2-0 defeat of Cameroon at the Sam Najoma Stadium, Windhoek, to make it their seventh title in the African Women Championship.

The Falcons scored two first half goals in the 13th and 44th minutes through Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala.

Midfielder Ngozi Okobi was fouled in the middle of the park. Desire Oparanozie stepped up and took the free kick. The ball nestles at the far corner beyond the reach of Cameroon keeper, Ngo Ndom, for Nigeria’s first goal.

It was the turn of Asisat Oshoala to get on the scoring act in the 44th minute of the game. The nimble-footed striker got to the end of a Francesca Ordega’s inch perfect cross which Oshoala swept home.

The second half did not produce any goal but the Falcons contained the industry of the Cameroonians. Cameroon’s Enganamouit turned brilliantly and unleashed a powerful shot two minutes into the second half.

Striker Ngono Mani’s shot was saved in the 53rd minute by Ebubeleye Whyte. Wo(man) of the Match in the final, Francesca Ordega danced her way to the edge of the Cameroon box but her cross was off target.

Enganamouit continued proving to be Cameroon’s most potent player in the game as her fierce free kick in the 63rd minute hit the underside of the post before Whyte could claim it.

One of the highlights of the final was the referee’s inistence that Nigerian right back, Ugo Njoku, took her exit from another end of the field as Osinachi Ohale makes to substitute her. Njoku is perceived to be keen to waste more time as the clock winds down. A minute later from that incident, Whyte acrobatically tips over a dipping free kick as she grows more confident in front of goal.

Asisat Oshoala was substituted by evergreen striker Perpetua Nkwocha with three minutes to go. The experienced forward helped launch few attacking moves before the game dramatically ended. The players and officials on the bench ran to the field to join the rest of the payers in celebration.

Nigeria are now both African champions in the men and women’s football on the continent.

Striker Desire Oparanozie was the Highest Goal Scorer of the Championship with five goals. Asisat Oshoala was deservedly presented with the Most Valueable Player prize. The 19-year-old striker scored four goals in the Championship.

Nigeria had lost the African crown in 2012 when Equatorial Guinea won the Championship.