9th November, 2012
Super Falcons of Nigeria will on Sunday confront the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the third place match of the African Women Championship, AWC holding in Equatorial Guinea.
The defending Champions, Nigeria suffered a 0-1 loss to the Bayana Bayana of South Africa in the semi final played on Wednesday, while Cameroon lost 0-2 to hosts, Equatorial Guinea.
With this result, the Super Falcons recorded their second ever loss in the history of the competition and have been condemned to face the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the third place play off, while South Africa face hosts Equatorial Guinea in a repeat of the 2008 finals.
After the Falcons defeated Cameroon 2-1 in the opening Group B match of the championship, the third place match might be a difficult one for the Nigerian ladies, considering the fact that Cameroon will want to avenge the defeat they suffered in the group stage.
Falcons Coach, Kadiri Ikhana has come under criticism from soccer loving Nigerians, following the poor performance of the Falcons against South Africa in the semi final match.
Ikhana is however under pressure to avoid defeat against Cameroon on Sunday. If the Falcons fail to win the third place match, Ikhana may be shown the way out after he promised Nigerians to defend the title in Equatorial Guinea and qualify the country for 2013 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
Former Nigerian manager, Paul Hamilton said it is unfortunate for the Super Falcons to fail to win the AWC title for the retiring Perpetua Nkwocha.
Nkwocha, who set a 15-goal target and scored two goals so far at the ongoing AWC in Equatorial Guinea, has served a notice to quit international football at the end of the fiesta on Sunday.
—Sunday Akintoye