Super Falcons are African Champions for the 7th time

Nigeria’s young squad made African Women Championship history to claim the nation’s seventh continental crown after beating Cameroon 2-0 on Saturday.

This will be the first time an African Nation holds male and female senior titles simultaneously, with the Super Eagles also currently holding onto the male crown.

First half strikes from Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala were enough to seal victory against a tough-tackling Les Lionnes at the scanty Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek..

While both sides belted out the national anthems with vigour and aplomb, Nigeria were the only side that succeeded in overcoming the emotion and expectation early on. Cameroon, by comparison, were nervy and at times looked overawed by the altitude of the final.

The tension afforded Edwin Okon’s side the better opportunities early on, as the coach Enow Ngachu’s side failed to settle. Player of the match Francesca Ordega, a player who never got a starter’s shirt at the beginning of the tournament, was particularly bright, and looked keen to profit from any unease among the opposition. She appeared everywhere, troubling both fullbacks with his pace, and also the subtler side of his game, his feints and touches.

Oparanozie and Oshoala had opportunities to demonstrate their aerial prowess early on, but despite the bumbling and fumbling of Ngom Ndom in goal for Cameroon, neither could capitalise.

While 20-year old Desire Oparanozie emerged the highest goal scorer of the competition, Asisat Oshoala came from being best player in the this year's U-20 female World cup, to winning the individual accolade yet again in Namibia.

Congrats Super Falcons....