4th November, 2010
Super Falcons of Nigeria this morning maintained their supremacy over the Banyana Banyana of South Africa at the ongoing African Women Championship, AWC with an emphatic 2-1 victory.
Like she did in their first group match against Mali, Perpetua Nkwocha got a brace in the match played at the Sinaba Stadium, which was filled to capacity for the first time since the tourney commenced on Sunday.
Nkwocha opened scoring for Nigeria in the 22nd minute, when she was set up by Stella Mbachu.
The 34-year-old forward, named CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2004 and 2005 unsettled the hosts with the opener.
After the first goal, Banyana Banyana tried to equalise immediately but Falcons’ goalkeeper, Precious Dede denied them the a chance as she parried two quick efforts from South African players.
Nkwocha was on song again in the 39th minute of the pulsating encounter when she nodded home the second goal off a corner kick.
The South Africans, coached by Augustine Makalakalane however got a consolatory goal with one minute to the end of the first half. A South African player was hard tackled outside the centre circle and the referee awarded a free kick immediately. Van Wyk, who did a great job for the Banyana Banyana stepped up to slam home the kick with a thunderous shot, which caught keeper Dede napping.
The goal sent the South African fans at the stadium into wild jubilation, while the scoreline remained 2-1 in favour of the Falcons when referee Fadouma Dia from Senegal stopped the game for the first half break.
The Nigerian women were not at their best compared to their performance in the first match, as they struggled for ball possession against a more mobile Banyana Banyana.
Despite losing the match, coach Makalakane is proud of his team, and promised to take Mali to the cleaners in their last group match.
Super Falcons’ coach, Uche Eucharia commended her team for not losing focus throughout the match. She also described Nkwocha, who scored a brace against South Africa as the ‘chief tormentor’ in her team. Mali take on Tanzania this afternoon.
—Adebobola Alawode
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