BREAKING: Super Falcons of Nigeria are African champions

BREAKING: Super Falcons of Nigeria are African champions

Nomso Obiajuru
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:50 PM

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 eight time and coach Florence Omagbemi makes history as the first person to win the continental championship both as a player and coach.

Legit.ng was on ground to bring you live coverage of the encounter. Read below

90+3' FULL TIME: Cameroon 0 - 1 Nigeria. The Super Falcons are champions of Africa for the ninth time.

90+2' Ajara shoots wide for Cameroon and that could be the last action of the game. Goalkeeper Jonathan is booked for time wasting.

90' Three minutes of added time to be played. Can Nigeria hold on?

89' The Falcons are few minutes away from clinching an eight African title.

87' MORE ON THE GOAL' The ball falls nicely to Oparonozie in the box and she beats her marker before slotting home just like she did in the semi-final. Could that be the winner?

86' GOALLLL!!!! Oparonozie fires Nigeria into the lead against the run of play.

84' BIG CHANCE' Jonathan who has been by far Nigeria's best player on the pitch denies Gabrielle.

82' HALF CHANCE! Enganamouit Deborah flashes an header wide from a corner. Cameroon piling all the pressure at the moment, Falcons yet to test Ndom for Cameroon.

79' She is back on her feet and immediately tested by the feet of Enganamouit Deborah. We are into the last 10 minutes of this encounter.

75' Goalkeeper Jonathan is down with an injury after colliding with a Cameroonian. The medics have been ushered into the pitch.

70' Cameroon continue to put more pressure on Falcons' defense as the defending champions struggle to create attempts on goal.

65' SUB Nigeria' Ordega OUT, Success IN

62' Falcons duo of Ebi and Ohale have done well at the centre back to deny Cameroon any form of space. Although, Nigeria's attackers have been very quiet in this game including Oshoala.

59' SUB' Cameroon's danger striker Mani is pulled out for Ngo who takes her place.

56' Nigeria under intense pressure at the moment as Mani again forces a save off Alaba Jonathan in goal for Nigeria. The host getting all the support from the crowd.

53' Mani picks up herself and take the free-kick with so much power but it's inches over the bar and the Falcons can breathe again. Great pressure from Cameroon.

52' Cameroon win a free-kick in a dangerous position after Mani was brought down. Can the Indomitable Lioness make something out of this?

49' HALF CHANCE! Okobi tries her luck from long range but her effort is well wide.

46' The second half is underway as the fans await the first goal of the game.

45+2' HALF TIME: Cameroon 0 - 0 Nigeria. The Indomitable Lioness were the closest to take the lead in the opening half.

43' An even game so far but the hosts have managed to contain the Falcons. There will be two minutes of added time.

39' Chikwelu is back on the pitch after receiving treatment.

37' Falcons skipper Chikwelu is in serious pains after she was hit with the ball on her stomach. It doesn't look too bad as she looks set to be back on the pitch.

34' BIG SAVE! Alaba Jonathan produces a superb save to deny Mani from close range. That was the first shot on target for any of both teams.

30' Remember Cameroon have lost three times in the final against Nigeria (including the last edition). They are looking to end the Falcons hoodoo. Nigeria are the defending champions

25' A knock down from Oshoala to Oparonozie almost drops kindly for the striker but Cameroon clear their lines.

20' Cameroon 0 - 0 Nigeria. The game still awaits its first shot on target.

BREAKING: Super Falcons of Nigeria are African champions
Both teams observe a minute silence for the victims and families of the Colombia crash
Source: Unknown

17' Gabrielle's pace in the left flank has been causing a whole lot of problems for Nigeria. She again wins a corner for her side but it comes to nothing.

12' Super Falcons are beginning to settle into the game after a blistering start for Cameroon. Asisat Oshoala has been very busy in the right flank for Nigeria.

9' Ordega wins a corner for Nigeria but it comes to nothing as the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon continue to press forward.

7' Cameroon have started really strong in this game and it had to take a timely touch from goalkeeper Alaba Jonathan to deny the host the opening goal from a free-kick.

5' BIG CHANCE! Aboudi Gabrielle goes on a sterling run and beats three Nigeria defenders but her shot inside the box goes wide. That was the first chance of the game!

1' The game is underway with Nigeria playing with their all white jersey and Cameroon with their traditional green, red and a touch of yellow jersey.

Here is how both teams line 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.

Read our preview of the game below.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will be hoping to retain her African title when they lock horns against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the final of the African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) on Saturday, December 3.

While Cameroon defeated Ghana 1-0 to book a place in the final, Nigeria secure a place in the final after a hard fought 1-0 victory over South Africa in the second semi-final.

BREAKING: Super Falcons of Nigeria are African champions
Cameroon vs Nigeria
Source: Unknown

Cameroon will aim for revenge on home soil, having suffered massive defeats against Nigeria on three different occasions.

Today’s encounter will be the fourth time both teams are meeting in the final in the history of the Africa Women's Cup of Nations.

READ ALSO: Super Falcons escape death as aircraft emits smoke

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.

BREAKING: Super Falcons of Nigeria are African champions
Cameroon vs Nigeria
Source: Unknown

And according to Cameroon coach Enow Ngachu, his team can’t afford to lose to the Falcons again.

“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 would adopt a different approach in Saturday’s final match against the host nation, Lionesses of Cameroon.

She noted: “We are not afraid of Cameroon. We will face them the way we faced other teams in this competition.”

Omagbemi’s confidence comes on the heels of the Falcons good record in the final. After contesting in Nine AWCON final matches, the Falcons are yet to lose.

Omagbemi is also on the verge of making history by winning the continental championship both as a player and coach.

Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria, who is top scorer of the competition with 5 goals from 4 matches, will be hoping to lead her teammates to glory against the Lionesses of Cameroon.

BREAKING: Super Falcons of Nigeria are African champions
Asisat Oshoala
Source: Unknown

This game promises to be a cracker and Legit.ng will bring you live coverage of the encounter. Kick-off time - 3.30pm Nigerian time.

Authors
Nomso Obiajuru photo
Nomso Obiajuru
Team Lead- Football
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Nigeria