AWCON Nigeria 0 South Africa 1 : Disappointing Start For Wasteful Defending Champions
Published: November 18, 2018
Nigeria's Super Falcons began the defense of their Africa Women Cup of Nations title with a disappointing 1-0 defeat against South Africa at the Cape Coast Stadium, Ghana on Sunday evening.
Chrestina Kgatlana ensured that the Bayana Bayana will clinch their second win against Nigeria in eleven meetings.
The Falcons, eight time champions in previous ten editions of the tournament dominated the first Group B game of the Nations Cup from kick off but the South Africans were gifted two chances to score in the first half after some sloppy defending which they failed to punish the Nigerians for.
Nigeria's first chance to score came in the 33rd minute when Asisat Oshoala teed up Desire Oparanozie but the top scorer at the last edition of the Nations Cup blasted the ball wide.
South Africa's Jermaine Seoposenwe was close to opening her goals account just before the half time break but Osinachi Ohale cleared the ball bravely as the Bayana Bayana striker was set to strike the ball inside the Nigerian box.
Oparanozie spurned another chance four minutes into the second half to give Nigeria the lead after her diving header went wide following a promising build up.
South Africa's Chrestinah Kgatlana broke the deadlock with six minutes to go as she pounced on a beautiful pass into the Nigerian box and unleashed an unstoppable shot beyond Tochukwu Oluehi.
The Falcons will have to defeat Zambia and Equatorial Guinea to guarantee them passage to the semifinals and opportunity to qualify for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.
Izuchukwu Okosi
Chrestina Kgatlana ensured that the Bayana Bayana will clinch their second win against Nigeria in eleven meetings.
The Falcons, eight time champions in previous ten editions of the tournament dominated the first Group B game of the Nations Cup from kick off but the South Africans were gifted two chances to score in the first half after some sloppy defending which they failed to punish the Nigerians for.
Nigeria's first chance to score came in the 33rd minute when Asisat Oshoala teed up Desire Oparanozie but the top scorer at the last edition of the Nations Cup blasted the ball wide.
South Africa's Jermaine Seoposenwe was close to opening her goals account just before the half time break but Osinachi Ohale cleared the ball bravely as the Bayana Bayana striker was set to strike the ball inside the Nigerian box.
Oparanozie spurned another chance four minutes into the second half to give Nigeria the lead after her diving header went wide following a promising build up.
South Africa's Chrestinah Kgatlana broke the deadlock with six minutes to go as she pounced on a beautiful pass into the Nigerian box and unleashed an unstoppable shot beyond Tochukwu Oluehi.
The Falcons will have to defeat Zambia and Equatorial Guinea to guarantee them passage to the semifinals and opportunity to qualify for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.
Izuchukwu Okosi
Latest News
- Super Falcons-eligible midfielder left out of Chelsea's squad to face Barcelona despite training with first team
- West Ham, Crystal Palace ready to challenge Serie A giants Juventus for Leicester ace Ndidi
- 2024 Super Eagles invitee attracting interest from Tottenham, Fulham and Aston Villa
- 'Simply phenomenal' - Nigeria legend Sunday Oliseh names the best coach in the world
- Manu Garba impressed with Golden Eaglets midfield pre-U17 WAFU B, identifies three positions to fortify
- Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo provides injury update on Awoniyi pre-Everton
- Gift Orban replacement: Gent on brink of deal for tall Danish-Nigerian striker dubbed 'The New Onuachu'
- Spain youth team call-up for former Liverpool winger Elijah Gift; also eligible for Nigeria and Cuba
- Confirmed team news: Super Eagles defender Collins might miss Cardiff City v Southampton
- Photo: Trabzonspor striker Onuachu trains with special bandage ahead of potential return to action
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football