Nigeria U-23 side, the Dream Team, won bronze at the expense of hosts Congo thanks to a 5-3 victory on penalties, but the Super Falcons lost to Cote d’Ivoire 2-1.
At the Massamba Debat Stadium, Brazzaville, the regulation time ended 0-0 but the Dream Team has goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel to thank after saving Congolese captain Sagesse Bebele kick before Dumite Pyagbara scored to secure the win.
Both sides had the chance to take the lead in the first half. Congo’s Mavis Tchibota-Dufounou saw his goal-bound shot miss narrowly before Mustapha Abdullahi fumbled with Nigeria’s best chance after 31 minutes. With the Congo keeper at his mercy, Abdullahi unselfishly squared the ball to Junior Ajayi, who shot wide.
In the second half, substitute Silvere Ganvoula’s header from a free-kick missed target narrowly with 15 minutes left.
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The came dragged to penalty shootout which saw Daniel Esien, Atanda Ololade, Kingsley Sokari, Erhun Obanor and Pyagbara convert for the Nigerians against Kader Bidimbou, Ganvoula and Julsy Boukama Kaya for the host nation.
The Super Falcons were not that lucky as they lost 2-1 to Cote d’Ivoire in the third-place match.
Nigeria took the lead in the 19th minute through Chiwendu Ihezuo, but the Ivoirians bounced back to equalise in the 70th minute from Christielle N’Guessan.
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Fatou Coulibaly sealed the win in the 77th minute from a well taken strike.
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