Nigeria 0 South Africa 0 (AET, 4-3 Pens) : Ebere, Chikwelu, Ihezuo, Uchendu Score In Shootout As Falcons Are Crowned Champions Of Africa Again

Tochukwu Oluehi was heroic as Nigeria emerged champions of the 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations (AWCON) with a 4-3 penalty shootout win over South Africa at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday night.

The game ended 0-0 after 120 minutes in Accra. Nigeria have now won the competition a record nine times.

Heading to the final Nigeria won nine, drew one and lost two games in 12 meetings with South Africa.

The Super Falcons restricted Banyana Banyana back to their shell with a much improved one touch pattern in the opening exchanges.

Ngozi Sonia Okobi tried her luck from 22 yards but her strike was saved by goalkeeper Kaylin Swart following a great run from Francisca Ordega.

South Africa struggled with the pace of the Super Falcons and were restricted to long balls in the game.

Ordega went on a good run down the left flank but her cross evaded everyone in the box.

Nigeria had their penalty appeal ignored by the centre referee after Asisat Oshoala was tackled in the box.

South Africa slowly found their bearing in the second half and showed much improvements unlike the first stanza.

The Falcons had the chance to draw the curtain raiser when goalkeeper Swart brought down Ordega in the box. The referee had no option but to point to penalty spot.

Oshoala stepped up and agonizingly missed the spot kick as the final dragged to extra time.

The first chance at extra time was carved out by Nigeria. Oshoala ghosted past her marker before releasing a shot that was scrambled away by Swart.

In the space of three minutes, South Africa created two chances through Chrestinah Kgatlana and Linda Motlhalo but goalkeeper Oluehi was equal to the task.

Bambanani Mbane showed great technique to force goalkeeper Oluehi from a well crafted free kick from 35 metres.

Despite the fact that Onome Ebi missed her first kick in the shootout, Nigeria won 4-3 with Ngozi Ebere, Rita Chikwelu, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Chinaza Uchendu converting the next four.

How They Lined Up;

Nigeria: Tochukwu Oluehi, Josephine Chukwunonye, Osinachi Ohale, Onome Ebi, Ngozi Ebere, Rita Chikwelu, Ngozi Sonia Okobi, Rasheedat Ajibade (Chinwendu Ihezou 63'), Asisat Oshoala, Halimatu Ayinde, Francisca Ordega (Chinaza Uchendu 112')

South Africa: Kaylin Swart, Lebohang Ramalepe, Janine Van Wyk, Bambanani Mbane, Nothando Vilakazi, Mamello Mkhabane, Leandra Smeda, Busisiwe Ndimeni, Linda Motlhalo, Chrestinah Kgatlana, Jermaine Seoposenwe

Abayomi Ademetan