NIGERIAN SUPER FALCONS CROWNED AFRICAN CHAMPIONS FOR A RECORD 8 TIMES

Desire Oparanozie’s 84th-minute strike fired Nigeria to African Women’s Cup of Nations glory with a 1-0 win over Cameroon in Yaoundé.

The tournament's outstanding team failed to repeat the fluency and brilliance of their defeat of South Africa in the semi-final, but Florence Omagbemi’s team found one more sumptuous moment during the closing stages of the game.

Oparanozie dribbled past defender Meffoumetou Falone before firing past goalkeeper Annette Ndom after the Indomitable Lionesses had failed to deal with Ngozi Okobi’s floated left-wing cross at the near post.

It was the second time Nigeria had defeated a host nation in the final and it came as a bitter pill to swallow for Ngachu Enow’s ladies who had created the better chances during the hard-hitting encounter.

Asisat Oshoala

Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala also won the tournament's Golden Boot with a total of six goals.
The Arsenal forward becomes the fourth Nigerian after Mercy Akide, Perpetua Nkwocha and Oparanozie to finish as the tournament’s top goalscorer.