Oshoala’s brace gives Super Falcons World Cup ticket

Asisat Oshoala’s first half brace gave the Super Falcons a 2-1 win over South Africa in their African Women’s Championships semi-final clash on Wednesday.

Jane van Wyk pulled a goal back for Banyana Banyana in the 68th minute.

It was a sweet revenge for the Falcons, who lost 1-0 to the same team at the same stage of the competition two years ago in Equatorial Guinea.

This victory guarantees them a ticket to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada even without kicking a ball in the final, as Africa has three slots in the 24-country championship.

Nigeria will now await the winners of the other semi-final between Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire to determine Africa’s best.

It was a busy first half for South African shot-stopper, Thokozile Mndaweni, as she made several saves.

She denied Francisca Ordega in the 15th minute after rushing off her line to block her shot.

Banyana’s Portia Modise could have broken the deadlock in the 23rd minute, but her free-kick from 25-yards went over the bar.

In the 31st, Ordega had another opportunity to give Nigeria the lead but her header failed to find the net from close range.

Oshoala put the Falcons ahead in the 38th minute through a deflected finish after a nice foot work from the forward.

The youngster doubled the lead just before halftime when her speculative cross deceived the keeper and found its way in the net.

Falcons continued to pile pressure on their opponents on resumption of the second half, as Mndaweni came to her team’s rescue in the 58th minute, pulling off a fine save to keep out Ugo Njoku’s long range effort.

Jane’s cross from 25-yards out was adjudged to have crossed the line by the assistant referee and it was game on for the South Africans.

They pushed for an equaliser late on but the Super Falcons defence stood firm and held on for the win.

Oshoala, who took a knock late in the game and was substituted, was voted player of the match.

She has now scored three goals at this AWC.