AWCON qualifiers: Falcons progress to final round despite defeat in Ghana

Super Falcons have secured a 2-1 aggregate victory over Ghana to qualify for the final round of the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers.

It was a close shave for the Randy Waldrum-led girls who failed to replicate the productive performance that ensured a 2-0 win in the first leg played at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

At the Accra stadium on Sunday, Nigeria looked a pale replica of the side that blitzed past the Black Queens last Wednesday.

The Ghanaians were the better and hungrier side as they completely took control of the game, with Princella Adubea, Sonia Opoku and Grace Aminah proving a handful for the Falcons defence.

The host created a couple of chances in the first half, taking advantage of Nigeria’s chaotic defence but couldn’t score.

In the beginning of the second half, Ghana then got a deserved lead for their persistence.

Adubea was afforded the right amount of space and time to tuck the ball into the net off a grounder from Grace Asantewaa.

The pressure began to pile on Nigeria, but the visitors quickly retracted into their area and winded the clock down.

Falcons held on for a vital aggregate victory despite an intense final minute bombardment from the host.

The result means Nigeria will advance into the final round of the qualifiers and play the winner between Ivory Coast and Niger Republic.

The tie winner will join Morocco and ten other countries for the tournament next year, serving as the qualifiers for the 2023 FIFA Women World Cup billed to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.