WINDHOEK – Heading towards the home straight of the TN Mobile CAF Women’s Championship underway in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, the final will be an-all West African affair with the Super Falcons of Nigeria up against old foes Cameroon at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.
Both nations cruised through to the final with an identical 2-1 scoreline in the semi-finals against their respective opponents South Africa and Ivory Coast in a double header at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Wednesday. Banyana Banyana and Ivory Coast are left to fight it out for the remaining third berth for Canada 2015 in the curtain raiser tomorrow.
Skipper Christine Manie was the heroine for Cameroon heading a dramatic and historic winner with just two minutes of extra time remaining on the clock to shake off the resilient Ivorians in Wednesday’s second semi-final.
The Cameroonian central defender rose above the static Ivory Coast defense to steer home a powerful header that kissed the roof of the net from a corner kick to ensure that Les Lionnes qualifies for their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup, next year.
Cameroon dominated most periods of the game and finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark, thanks to a thunderbolt from dynamic forward Gaelle Enganamouit. However, their lead lasted for only six minutes before Ines Tia drew the teams on level terms with a close-range effort.
Les Lionnes, arrived for the continental showpiece without having won the African crown for 16 years, but surprised friend and foe to carve themselves a place in the final against West African rivals Nigeria in tomorrow’s final.
In the opening match, a first-half double through the educated boot of reigning FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Adidas Golden Ball winner, Asisat Oshoala ensured Nigeria were the first nation to qualify for Canada 2015 following a hard fought 2-1 win against South Africa.
Oshoala netted the first goal on the night on 38 minutes and was back in the thick of things again to complete her brace just before halftime to put the Falcons in an unassailable 2 goals cushion.
However, the lead was halved when Jane Refiloe, scrambled a dubious goal over the goal line to give Banyana some glimmer of hope to salvage some pride midway through the second half.
With the clock ticking away, Vera Pauw’s fired up brigade threw more bodies upfront forcing the Super Eagles to defend deep in their own half surviving numerous attacks from the South Africans in the closing stages but that oak door of the Nigerian defense held on for dear life until the final whistle.