AWC: Falcons rule Africa again

Spank Cameroon 2-0

THE Super Falcons of Nigeria on Saturday won the ninth edition of the African Women’s Championship (AWC) with a 2-0 spanking of the Les Lioness of Cameroon at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek, Namibia.

Nigeria has now won the competition seven times.

The Nigerian women wrapped up victory in the first half with goals from Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala. Oparanozie shot Nigeria into the lead with a free kick which curled to the left side of the Cameroonian goal keeper, Annette Ngo Ndom, in the 12th minute.

Oshoala doubled the lead in the 43rd minute after she tapped home a cross from Francesca Ordega, eventual winner of the Most Valuable Player of the match award.

Significantly, the Oparanozie goal notched the highest goal scorer award for her as it was her fifth goal of the competition and the highest by any player at the 2014 AWC competition.

Also, Oshoala’s goal on the night took her tally to four, making her the second highest goal scorer of the competition. However, Oshoala, winner of the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada, also emerged the 2014 AWC Player of the Tournament.

Earlier, the Ivorian national female team had won the third place match after beating the Banyana Banyana of SOuth Africa 1-0. The Les Elephants’ only goal was scored by Rebecca Ida in the 84th minute.

The victory also secured for the Ivorians the last African ticket to the 2015 World Cup in Canada.