AWCON 2016: Super Falcons of Nigeria are African champions, defeat Cameroon 1-0 to lift trophy
Super Falcons of Nigeria have emerged as African champions once again after a 1-0 victory against the Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon on Saturday, December 3.
Desire Oparonozie's strike in the 86th was the difference as the Falcons edge their opponent right at their very own backyard.
With the victory, Nigeria have emerged African champions nine times and coach Florence Omagbemi makes history as the first person to win the continental championship both as a player and coach.
Here is how both teams lined up
Cameroon XI: 1. Annette Ndom, 15. Sonkeng Amariele, 12. Meffoune Falone, 11. Awona Marie, 3. Nchout Ajara, 17. Enganamouit Deborah, 8. Feudiio Raissa, 9. Madelein Mani, 7. Aboudi Gabrielle, 10. Ngock Grace, 2. Manie Patience
SUBS: 16. Thecle Mbororo, 21. Isabelle Mambingo, 4. Leuko Patrice, 6. Augustin Batoum, 20. Ngo Edith, 5. Ejangue Sylvia, 14. Agnes Nkada, 19. Ngani Georgette, 18. Michelle Akaba, 13. Jacquette Ada
Nigeria XI: 16. Alaba Jonathan, 3. Osinachi Ohale, 2. Faith Ikidi, 5. Onome Ebi, 15. Ugo Njoku, 18. Halimatu Ayinde, 13. Ngozi Okobi, 10. Rita Chikuwelu (C), 9. Ugochi Oparonozie, 17. Francisca Ordega, 8. Asisat Oshoala
SUBS: 21. Rita Akarekor, 1. Ibubeleye Whyte, 12. Gladys Akpa, 6. Ngozi Ebere, 7. Wogu Success, 19. Ijeoma Obi, 4. Osarenoma Igbinovia, 20. Uchechi Lopez Sunday, 11. Ukpong Esther Sunday.
Past Encounters
While Cameroon defeated Ghana 1-0 to book a place in the final, Nigeria secured a place in the final, after a hard fought 1-0 victory over South Africa in the second semi-final.
Cameroon hoped for a revenge on home soil, having suffered massive defeats against Nigeria on three different occasions.
Today’s encounter made it the fourth time both teams were meeting in the final, in the history of the Africa Women's Cup of Nations.
Their first meeting was in 1991 when it was based on home and away games, with the winner over two legs qualifying for the first FIFA Women's World Cup in China.
The Falcons won the first leg 2-0 in Cameroon and 4-0 in Nigeria to secure a 6-0 aggregate win and qualification for the first women's World Cup.
Their next two meetings came again in the 2004 and 2014 finals after the tournament had been changed from a home and away format to a biennial tournament.
In 2004 final Nigeria thrashed Cameroon 5-0 and defeated them 2-0 in the final of the 2014 edition in Namibia.
The Cameroon coach Enow Ngachu, hoped his team could beat the Falcons todat.
“I’ve already lost two finals and I hope to win this time,” Ngachu was quoted as saying by Cafonline after guiding Cameroon to a 1-0 triumph over Ghana.
“We know how to handle pressure. We will continue to work so that our players manage this situation at best,” he added.
But for Super Falcons coach, Florence Omagbemi, her team adopted a different approach in Saturday’s final match against the host nation, Lionesses of Cameroon.
She noted: “We were not afraid of Cameroon. We faced them the way we faced other teams in this competition.”
Omagbemi has made history by winning the continental championship both as a player and coach.
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