Oshoala MVP again, as Falcons win 9th AWC

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have won the 2014 African Women Championship (AWC) after goals from Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala condemned Cameroon to a 2-0 loss at the Sam Nujuoma Stadium. And just as it happened at August’s FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada, Oshoala was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.

Oparanozie put the Falcons ahead in the 13th minute from a well-worked free kick outside the box, as Nigeria bagged their seventh African Women’s title.

Oshoala increased the tally in the 43rd minute, scoring her fourth goal of the competition to give the Super Falcons a comfortable 2-0 win.

Cameroon striker Deborah Enganamouit was unlucky not to have equalised few minutes later, but her shot hit the cross bar.

Cameroon came close once again but Michele’s Madeleine header from a corner kick went wide.

Oparanozie almost extended Super Falcons’ lead after combining well with her teammates but her shot failed to hit the target.

Before half time break, Oshoala extended the tally with a beautiful strike to give the Super Falcons a comfortable 2-0 lead.

At the start of the second half, Cameroon came out looking to reduce the score line but again, their best effort sailed over the bar.

Substitute Iven Mihamle’s free kick hit the cross bar as Cameroon frantically search for a goal as the game wore on.

Nigeria soaked up the pressure in the last 10 minutes as Cameroon took the initiative.

Veteran Perpetua Nkwocha was introduced in the dying minutes of the match to hard bite to Falcons’ attack.

Nigeria held on to be crowned continental champions, staying unbeaten at the two-week tournament.

Nigeria, Cameroon and Ivory Coast will represent Africa at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

Before Sunday’s match, the Super Falcons had never lost an AWC final, and their last meeting with Cameroon in the final ended in a 5-nil whitewash of the Les Lionesses.

Nigeria, Cameroon and Ivory Coast will represent Africa at the 2015 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Canada.

AWARDS

Asisat Oshoala was given the the Golden Ball as the best player of the 9th African Women’s Championship. The Rivers Angels player scored four goals and played a major role for her team in winning the tournament for the 7th time in Namibia.

Desire Oparanozie won the Golden Boot as top scorer after bagging five goals in the competition.

Cameroon goalkeeper, Annette Ngo Ndom, won the Golden Glove award for being the best keeper at the tournament.