By Meletus EZE
Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Tuesday in Accra qualified for the final match of the 11th African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) and by extension the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
In the first semi-final match of 2018 AWCON at the Ohene Djan Stadium, the defending champions showed the resilience of being eight-times champions by emerging winners at the shooting range.
The Falcons beat Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions 4-2 in a penalty kicks shootout, after play had ended 0-0 even following the extra time play of 30 minutes.
They were mostly outplayed in the game against the Cameroonians who were robust in their play as usual.
Even when they looked to be second best in many duels and possession during the match, they held on and even threatened to run away with a win at some moments.
However, they kept their cool, even as the match dragged into extra time, and they will now play in Saturday’s final match after they showed better shooting skills at the range.
Ngozi Ebere scored the decisive spot-kick after Cameroon twice missed, through star player Gaelle Enganamouit and Ngo Mbeleck who missed their third and fourth kicks respectively.
Ajara Nchout and Raissa Feudjio scored their first two kicks, but Onome Ebi, Rasheedat Ajibade and Asisat Oshoala also scored Nigeria’s first three kicks.
The Super Falcons have now qualified for the 2019 Women’s World Cup finals billed for France.
Nigeria will be joined in Saturday’s final match and France 2019 by the winner of 2018 AWCON’s other semi-final match, between Mali and South Africa.
Cameroon however still have a chance of qualifying for France, as they will take on the other semi-final in the third-place match on Friday.
