- It’s Cameroon 0 – 1 Nigeria
Nigeria’s Super Falcons kept hopes alive for a successful defence of their African title by securing a 1-0 victory over Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Thursday night.
With the victory, Nigeria will now face Morocco in the semi-finals even as they have picked a ticket to the global football showpiece to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from 23 July to 20 August 2023.
Rasheedat Ajibade’s second-half strike was all the Super Falcons needed to earn a hard-fought victory over their Cameroonian counterparts in the keenly contested encounter at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.
Despite their poor record against the reigning African champions, the Indomitable Lionesses went into the game full of high hopes, having finished the group stage unbeaten.
But it was the Nigerians who got off to a bright start, dominating ball possession while the Cameroonians were confined to their own half.
Six minutes into the cracker, the first real chance fell to Randy Waldrum’s side, winning a freekick after Estelle Johnson fouled Francisca Ordega. Ngozi Okobi took the resultant kick but Ifeoma Onumonu headed wide.
In the sparkless first half, Ajara Nchout Njoya was cautioned for bringing down captain Onome Ebi. Cameroon’s aggressive play gave Nigeria set piece opportunities, but they were unable to convert with Ashleigh Plumptre, Onumonu, and Ajibade failing to find the net.
Gabriel Zabo’s first attempt at goal came in the 26th minute but Michaela Batya’s tame header could not threaten goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie – who was rarely threatened.
Two minutes before the hour mark, another chance beckoned for Nigeria via another set piece, albeit, the combo between Ajibade and Plumptre did not work out.
After a sluggish first 45 minutes, the Central Africans stepped up their game however, it was Waldrum’s Falcons who took a well-deserved lead through Ajibade in the 53rd minute. Okobi beat Johnson and Claudine Meffometou, to set up Gotham FC’s Onumonu whose fine cross to the Atletico Madrid forward was headed past goalkeeper Ange Bawou.
That setback was a reality check for the Cameroonians who came out to attack in numbers but were unable to get past the Super Falcons’ backline. Their penalty appeal was waved off by referee Makalima NJoya after being sandwiched between Ebi and Osinachi Ohale in the goal area.
With the 90 minutes closing out, the Super Falcons soared into the last four, thus making it 14 wins in the last 15 previous outings between the African countries while the Indomitable Lionesses’ hopes of reaching the World Cup remain intact, but they have to achieve that through the inter-confederation play-offs later this year. – With Goal.com reports
