Nigeria’s Super Falcons Friday continued their impressive run at the ongoing Africa Women Championship (AWC) in Namibia by beating gallant hosts, Namibia, 2-0.
First half strikes from Gloria Ofoegbu and Francesca Ordega were all the six-time African champions needed to seal a semifinal spot and finish as Group A winners with a total of nine points.
The hosts, who were hoping to cook up one of the biggest upsets in the history of women’s football against Nigeria, put up some brave performance but it was not to be as they fell to the superior firepower of the Falcons.
Head Coach, Edwin Okon had dropped the team’s leading striker, Desire Oparanozie, Asisat Oshoala, goalkeeper Precious Dede and Enome Ebi from the match, using second-string players with a view to resting them for the knockout stage.
Speaking after the match, Team Captain, Evelyn Nwabuoku has hailed the team’s performance, saying she was happy they picked all nine points available from the group stage. She however agreed that the Namibians put up a hard fight bowing out of the competition.
“We always knew it would not be easy playing against the host nation because we would be up against the 12th man (the spectators) so I’m happy we won. Namibia gave us a good fight, they gave us a run for our money today but we are happy to have contained them and got the maximum points” she said.
Meanwhile, Namibia Coach, Jacqueline Shipanga has congratulated the Super Falcons for the victory, tipping them to win this year’s edition.
Nigeria will now face Group B’s runners-up in their semi-final encounter billed for the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on October 22, 2014.
The Falcons have scored 12 goals so far, conceding only two.
The top three teams from this championship will represent Africa at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
