The Super Falcons of Nigeria will compete for their ninth African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) title on Sunday after they beat the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 4-2 on penalties.
Rivers Angels goal keeper Tochukwu Oluehi was the heroine on the day as she made countless saves, with the most crucial coming during the penalty shoot-out.
The Indomitable Lionesses controlled the game in the early proceedings, carving out plenty of chances, which kept the Falcons shot-stopper busy.
Gabrielle Onguene who has been Cameroon’s best player in the tournament so far, came close to getting the opening goal when she was put through on goal by Gaelle Enganamouit, but she was flagged offside.
For the Super Falcons, the best they could muster at the Lionesses’ goal came in the 42nd minute when Asisat Oshoala’s shot was well saved by Annette Ngo Ndom.
After the interval, the Cameroonians continued their dominance over the Nigerians as Oluehi continued to twat the efforts of the Cameroonians, making a couple of saves to keep the Central African nation at bay.
Both teams continued to battle it out, with neither of them being able to break open their defenses, thereby pushing the game into extra-time, and then penalties.
The win has secured for Nigeria one of the three automatic tickets meant for the continent ahead next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria will now face the winner between South Africa or Mali, as both sides slug it out in the other semis on Wednesday.
