A first half brace from Asisat Oshoala ensured Nigeria become the first team to qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup after beating South Africa 2-1 in their semis clash on Wednesday in Windhoek.
Oshoala opened the scores on 38 minutes and completed her brace just before half as the Super Falcons endured to a slim win after Jane Refiloe reduced the deficit for the South Africans in the second half.
The Nigerians survived several attacks from the Banyana Banyana in closing stages to confirm their place at next year’s women’s version of the Mundial.
It was the seventh meeting between the two sides in the history of the championship. The Super Falcons have emerged the dominant force but Banyana Banyana were inspired by the lone goal win in the last meeting between the two sides at the 2012 edition in Equatorial Guinea.
Both teams altered their squads with Nigeria coach Edwin Okon handing a starting role to Ibubeleye Whyte ahead of first choice goalie, Precious Dede whilst Francisca Ordega was preferred to Esther Sunday.
For Banyana Banyana, goalkeeper Mndaweni was a surprise inclusion, replacing Roxanne Barker, who had kept post for all three previous games at the group phase.
The game started on a fast pace note with Nigeria captain Evelyn Chiedu feeding Oshoala with long through passes, capitalizing on the spaces at the South Africa defence.
The first major chance of the game fell to Oshoala who was put through by Ordega after 17 minutes but Mndaweni denied the former, saving with her feet in a one-on-one situation.
Two minutes later, the South African goalie was to her side’s rescue yet again, coming out her line to prevent Oshoala in a similar situation.
The Banyana Banyana had their chance and it was on 21 minutes from a free-kick at the edge of the penalty area. Veteran Portia Modise was set up by by Jane Refiloe but her drive missed narrowly.
Ordega missed a good opportunity to put Nigeria in the lead on the half-hour mark heading wide from a Ngozi Ebere cross before Oshoala finally got her breakthrough eight minutes later.
The River Angels forward broke the deadlock on 38 minutes with a shot from close range that deflected off South African defender Noko Matlou into the net.
Just before half time, Oshoala doubled the lead with a deceptive volley after spotting Mndaweni off her line to give the Super Falcons a two-goal lead into the break.
On 67 minutes, Banyana Banyana reduced the tally through Refiloe with a shot from a corner that was adjudged to have crossed the line before Onome Ebi heaed out.
The goal spurred South Africans on and they pressed the Nigerians further with Refiloe and Sanah Mollo, who replaced Octovia Nogwanya leading their charges upfront. Mollo combined effectively with Modise and Amanda Dlamini launching consistent forays into the Nigerian halve.
Sensing danger, Okon brought on Esther Sunday and veteran Perpetua Nkwocha for Ordega and Ngozi Okobi in his quest to re-energize his attack.
South Africa almost got the last laugh as Matlou failed to connect a Leandra Smeda in what was the last kick of the game. The South Africans will face the loser of the Cameroon vs Cote d’Ivoire for the third spot for the World Cup.
(Cafonline)
