Thursday, October 23, 2014

Oshoala powers Falcons to World Cup

By Ben Efe, Windhoek
 
Super Falcons reached the final of the African Women Championship by beating South Africa’s Banyana Banyana 2-1 in a hard fought match at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek.

Asisat Oshoala scored a brace to dim the hopes of the Banyana Banyana who were dominated by the Falcons. The South Africans were at the mercy of the Nigerian women, but they failed to put away several scoring chances in a match the referee showed a lot of disjointed officiating.
The Nigerians survived the late surge by their opponents who were boosted by a dubious goal awarded by the match officials.

The game started with both sides trying to establish dominance, but it was the Super Falcons with their passing game and excellent possessions that asked the South Africans several questions.

Banyana Banyana goal keeper Philadelphia Mndaweni cut off on rushing Francesca Ordega after she had been put through by Oshoala. Moments later Oshoala got her own chance after she broke free from the middle, but she shot into the mid section of the keeper.

Portia Modise troubled the Nigerian defence but Onome Ebi held her grounds. On the other side Halima Ayinde headed wide off a corner kick. But it was Oshoala who had the breakthrough in the 38th minute. She held on to a pass offer a counter attack, she shook off her markers and inched into the box from the left,  She took her aim and finished it off. She was on call again on the dot of 45 minutes. She floated a shot from the right, which left it left Mndaweni stranded.

At the break the South Africans tried to fight their way back into the game. But they couldn’t find a way through. The Falcons continued with their dominance and kept their cool. A shot by Halima Ayinde was parried  by the Banyana Banyana keeper. The South African women soon got a controversial goal from a corner taken by Refiloe Jane. The ball was headed off the line, but the lines woman Njoroge ruled that it was a goal. It was shocking to all. The players who were on the spot did not contest the ball when it was headed out, by Falcons defender Ebere Ngoji.

Oshoala who was voted woman of the match said she was excited the Falcons won game. “It was a hard game, we gave our best and I am glad we are through to the final.”
 
-Culled from : http://www.vanguardngr.com

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