Nigeria swept to her eighth Women Africa Cup of Nations title after powerful forward Desire Oparanozie struck with four minutes left on the clock to ensure the Super Falcons retained their continental title in a fully packed Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde, Cameroon on Saturday.
The Cameroonian Lionesses, who lost 0-2 to the Falcons in the final of the 2014 edition in Windhoek, Namibia, dominated play from the beginning but were profligate in front of goal.
As early as the 4th minute, Gabrielle Onguene ghosted past the Nigerian defence, only to shoot wide with just Goalkeeper Alaba Jonathan to beat.
Lively midfielder Ngozi Okobi however stood out in the Falcons’ side despite Nigeria’s slow start to the game.
Okobi found space in the middle and then turned brilliantly only for her shot to go too high and completely off target.
Enganamouit, reigning Africa Player of the Year, was, as expected, a threat to the Nigerian defence as she made frantic efforts to ensure her team takes the lead.
But for goalkeeper Jonathan’s brilliance, the Cameroonians would have matched her pre-final macho talk.
Chance after chance fell to the hosts, with Ngono Mani, Ngock Yango, Gabrielle Oungene and Gaelle Enganamouit all having four clear shots on target as against none for the Super Falcons in the entire first half.
The game was contrast of what the Falcons had shown all through the championship, as they were a shadow of themselves in Yaounde.
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