Yaounde, Cameroon - Striker Desire Oparanozie scored the winner five minutes from time as Nigeria beat hosts Cameroon 1-0 in the Africa Women Cup of Nations final on Saturday at a packed Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.
Oparanozie, who netted the winner in the semi-final victory over South Africa four days earlier in Limbe, again lived up to expectations to silence the deafening home crowd that filled every inch of space at the 40 000 capacity stadium who were rooting for the hosts.
It was the third time (after 2004 and 2014) that Nigeria had beaten Cameroon in the final and it further cements the Super Falcons’ status as the most dominant side in women’s football after previous triumphs in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2014.
Yet again it was so near and yet so far for ‘Les Lionnes’ who failed in their bid to break the jinx as far as the ultimate prize at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is concerned, and what is more painful is the fact that they lost the title this time in the presence of their teeming fans who had been behind the team throughout the tournament.
Cameroon will regret failing to convert numerous goal-scoring chances in a game where they were the better side in the first half.
Fan favourite Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene and Michele Ngono Mani were guilty of spurning opportunities to put ‘Les Lionnes’ in front, especially Mani who failed to beat Nigeria goalie Alaba Jonathan in a one-on-one situation on 34 minutes after Ajara Nchout Njoya put her through.
Earlier, Onguene missed a sitter in the opening minutes much to the disappointment of the home crowd.
The second half was no different with Cameroon still failing score whilst Nigeria gradually warmed to the game.
Minutesin the second stanza, Onguene again failed to put Cameroon in the lead and Nigeria would soon punish them with their first clear-cut chance at goal.
Cameroon captain Christine Manie, in her bid to clear, headed to Oparanozie, who controlled nicely before firing past Annette Ngo Ndom for the match-winner.