Banyana Banyana\u2019s dream of winning their first continental title faded into thin air as Thomas Dennerby\u2019s women once again triumphed via a shootout<\/p>\n
Tochukwu Oluehi was the heroine as Nigeria claimed the African Women Cup of Nations for a record ninth time after defeating South Africa 4-3 on penalties after a keenly contested 120-minute ended in a goalless stalemate in Accra, Ghana.<\/p>\n
The Super Falcons goalkeeper was impressive throughout the encounter and saved the decisive penalty to complete a Nigeria comeback.<\/p>\n
Onome Ebi had missed Nigeria’s first kick of the shootout before Oluehi provided a stunning save to deny Linda Motlhalo, thus, securing victory for Nigeria.<\/p>\n
Thomas Dennerby made a change to his team, which saw teenager Rasheedat Ajibade taking the place of Desire Oparanozie while Chrestinah Kgatlana continued to lead the line for Desiree Ellis\u2019 side.<\/p>\n
Record winner Nigeria controlled proceedings for the most part of the game while the South Africans were organised and, as such, successfully contained them throughout.<\/p>\n
Ellis\u2019 approach saw her side try to exploit the defensive partnership of Ebi and Osinachi Ohale with the speed of Kgatlana . However, the latter two appeared ever ready for the tournament top scorer in 120 tough minutes.<\/p>\n
Super Falcons started on the front foot and in the third minute, Oshoala, after picking the pocket of a South African midfielder, shot tamely at Kaylin Swart, who provided an unassured save.<\/p>\n
Her opposite number Oluehi was first called to action in the 13th minute, parrying a dipping long-range free-kick from Mamello Makhabane. Okobi then showed great skill to pull away from Leandra Smeda, but the quality of her finish was in stark distinct.<\/p>\n
The attacking midfielder had a better attempt at Banyana Banyana\u2019s goal after some good work from fleet-footed winger Francesca Ordega , but Swart was equal to the task.<\/p>\n
But for a bad first touch, Ajibade would have put the Falcons ahead before the half-time break after Swart’s clearance off an Okobi outswinger fell for her.
\nThree minutes after the restart, livewire Ordega – benefitting off Ajibade’s tame shot – again caused panic for South Africa’s defence but her crisp strike was whiskers away from the target.<\/p>\n
Nigeria fluffed their best chance to get a much-deserved lead with Oshoala firing her penalty wide after Swart had upended Ordega in the box as the game proceeded into extra time.<\/p>\n
Oluehi made light work of substitute Nompumelelo Nyandeni’s left-footed shot in the first real opening of the extra 30 minutes. And Swart again denied Oshoala a goal, pushing the ball to safety before Kgatlana almost secured the trophy for South Africa after waltzing through Nigeria’s defence but shot straight at Oluehi.<\/p>\n
The goalkeeper showed her quality calmly saving fierce efforts from Motlhalo and Makhabane to keep the Falcons in the game as Banyana’s search for a first Awcon title only had to stretch to the penalty shootouts.<\/p>\n
Oluehi only had to wait till the last spot kick, providing a stunning diving save to Motlhalo’s kick to win a record ninth continental trophy for Nigeria in a record final.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Banyana Banyana\u2019s dream of winning their first continental title faded into thin air as Thomas Dennerby\u2019s women once again triumphed via a shootout Tochukwu Oluehi was the heroine as Nigeria claimed the African Women Cup of Nations for a record ninth time after defeating South Africa 4-3 on penalties after a keenly contested 120-minute ended […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":152,"featured_media":94689,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,2,5],"tags":[47044,15902,301,14989,47069],"yoast_head":"\n