Never in the eleventh edition of the African continental premier women’s football competition, Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON), had the final match generated a lot of enthusiasm and suspense like the final of the Ghana 2018 edition which will feature Nigeria and South Africa.
The epic encounter slated for Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday evening promises to be very explosive because of the desire of both countries to lift the trophy for a record time.
For Nigeria, the Super Falcons are targeting a record 9th trophy and a revenge against the South Africa ‘s Banyana Banyana which defeated the depending champions 1-0 in the Group B opening match at Cape Coast Sports Stadium to the disbelief of football followers across Africa.
But Nigeria has since recovered from that shock and has won three matches on the bounce including a thrilling 120 minutes extra time and penalty shootout win over the handful Indomitable Lioness Lionesses of Cameroon last Tuesday in Accra. Nigeria outscored Cameroon 4-2 to qualify for the final tie against South Africa which beat Mali to also qualify for the final.
Already, Head Coach of Nigeria, Thomas Dennerby and his players are singing war songs ahead of the grudge match against South Africans. They said that they want to avenge their defeat and will come out hard on their opponents from the blast of the whistle.
The Swede believes that ” thunder does not strike twice in one place ” and has prepared a more balanced team which can attack and defend to counter the fast- paced Banyana Banyana players.
Although those who know Dennerby are not expecting wholesale changes in the lineup but he will ring one or two changes depending on the pattern he wants to adopt on the day. It means that the usual suspects namely goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi and back four of Onome Ebi, Ngozi Ebere, Osinachi Ohale and Josephine Chukwunonye will start.
Others in the mix are Halimat Ayinde, Sonia Okobi and Captain Rita Chikwelu in the middle of the pack while Francisca Ordega, Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala, reigning African Women’s Player of the Year, will spearhead the attack.
But Desiree Ellis, South Africa’s Head Coach is also talking tough after she qualified her country for their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup final. She is exuding alot of confidence and telling anybody who cares to listen that her wards will beat the Super Falcons again on Saturday in Accra.
It goes without saying that South Africa is playing well and scoring goals in this competition and may give Nigeria problems especially on the counter because of the speed of their forwards. The likes of speedstar, Christina Kagtlana, captain Van Wyke and Suso Vilakazi are ready for the battle.
The stage is set for the encounter and football fans across Africa and the world as well as the supporters and fans who will thronge Accra Sports Stadium will enjoy an interesting match. Let African football win at the end of 90 minutes on Saturday.
