La Decima ! Super Falcons Clinch Tenth African Title, Beat Cameroon 1-0 In Tense Final

Nigeria have won the African Women Cup of Nations trophy courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Cameroon in the final of the 2016 edition of the tournament.

The match went all the way to the last six minutes, but Desire Oparanozie proved to be the heroine with an 84th-minute winner to stun the host nation at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on Saturday.

The first sight of goal went the way of Cameroon after just five minutes when Aboudi raced on to a ball over the top, but she lifted her effort over the crossbar.

Nigeria had won all their AWCON final games and had their first chance of the game in Yaounde.

Ngozi Okobi spurned their first shooting opportunity with a wild strike over the top in the box after skillfully beating Manie to the ball.

Enganamouit was the player who looked as though she could make a difference, and midway through the half she made a powerful run forward before sending a cross to the waiting arms of Alaba Jonathan.

Ngono then span away from her marker to create shooting space, only to fire her shot to the right hand post of Alaba who produced a brilliant save.

Nigeria had a rare sight of goal towards the end of the half when Oparanozie’s cross failed to find the magical touch of Asisat Oshoala.

Chances continued to be wasted by the Indomitable Lionesses, with Aboudi being frustrated by Alaba on two occasions.

It was Cameroon who were asking most of the questions in the closing stages, though, and Enganamouit almost found the breakthrough with a piledriver from range that Alaba needed to be at alert to save.

There was to be a breakthrough in the 84th minute. It was Oparanozie who wrote herself into the history books with the winner, cutting inside before picking out the bottom corner with a low strike that Ndom couldn’t get to.

There was no way back for Cameroon in the closing stages as they fell to defeat in a major tournament on home soil.

Super Falcons Starters: Alaba Jonathan, Ugo Njoku, Faith Ikidi Michael, Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Ngozi Okobi, Halimatu Ayinde, Rita Chikwelu (c), Francisca Ordega, Desire Oparanozie, Asisat Oshoala

Reserves: Ibubeleye Whyte, Rita Akarekor, Ebere Ngozi, Gladys Akpa, Osarenoma Igbinovia, Glory Iroka, Ijeoma Obi, Chioma Wogu, Uchechi Sunday, Esther Sunday

Cameroon Starters: Ndom, Sonkeng, Meffonmetou, Awona, Manie (c), Foudjio, Nchout, Ngono, Yango, Enganamouit, Aboudi

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : thenff.com