Lacklustre Falcons to tackle enterprising Bayana Bayana in AWCON Final

Super Falcons of Nigeria, the defending champions of Africa Women Championship eliminated the Lioness of Cameroon 4-2 on penalties after playing 120 minutes of goalless affair to qualify for the final of the AWCON on- going in Ghana, where the team will tackle enterprising Bayana Bayana of South Africa on Saturday.

The Super Falcons came into the game against Cameroon cautious and were lacklustre all through as they allowed the Lioness to dominate and dictate the flow of the game, given too much space for the Cameroonians to operate. Unfortunately, the Lioness could not claw their way to find the back of the net for the entire duration of the game.

It was very obvious that Thomas Dennerby tutored side did not raise their game to the level expected of a defending champion playing a semi final duel against a very formidable foe , but the Super Falcons displayed their rich experience as they thwarted all the efforts of the Cameroonians to nail the team with a goal.

The composure they lacked for the period of 120 minutes was eventually seen during the lottery of penalty kicks. Onome Ebi , the captain of the team gave the needed leadership and confidence when she scored from the spot and the rest of the players followed in her footsteps, while Cameroon failed to convert two penalty kicks as Tochukwu Oluehi, the Nigerian goalkeeper became the star performer for the Super Falcons.

Meanwhile, an enterprising Bayana Bayana of South Africa parading youthful players with speed, skills and strength needed in modern day football overpowered the Female Eagles of Mali 2-0 in the other semi final to set up a final clash with the Super Falcons ,a team they earlier defeated 1-0 in the opening game of Group B. It is also interesting to note that both Nigeria and South Africa have qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be hosted in France next summer.

Bayana Bayana have never won the trophy despite playing in the final of AWCON three times. However, the South Africans have displayed sublime football from the beginning of the tournament and if care is not taken by the Super Falcons, the Bayana Bayana may just prove that their 1-0 victory over Nigeria at the group stage was not a fluke by winning the tournament for the first time in the history of South African football.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have won the tournament eight times.