The Super Falcons of Nigeria have qualified for the final game of the 10th edition of the Women AFCON after beating the Banyana Banyana of South Africa 1- 0 at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium. The lone winning goal for Nigeria was scored by striker Desire Oparanozie, a situation that earned her side a place in the final against La Republique du Cameroun. South Africa started brightly but the Desiree Ellis-led side failed to capitalize on their early dominance.

Oparanozie and Ngozi Okobi both had chances to put seven-time champions Nigeria ahead in the 25th minute, but goalkeeper Andile Dlamini thwarted their shots. Seven minutes later, South Africa had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside. However, Oparanozie put Nigeria ahead with a powerful free-kick eight minutes after the restart.

South Africa pressed and pushed for an equalizer forcing Nigeria to defend with determination. The Super Falcons almost conceded a bizarre own goal in the 83rd minute, but goalkeeper Alaba Jonathan was alert to save Ugo Njoku’s awkward header on the line.

The Indomitable Lionesses lost 5-0 to the Super Falcons in 2004 in South Africa, while Nigeria produced a tactical performance to beat Cameroun 2-0 in the 2014 edition in Namibia. The ball has been set rolling and Cameroon will probably want revenge as the Super Falcons have stopped them three times from grabbing the trophy.

CRTV