Defending champions Nigeria booked its place in the finals of the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations on Tuesday night after securing a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Cameroon.
Dubbed the finals before the finals, the first semi final clash of Ghana 2018 failed to live up to its billing as both teams mapped out strategies to cancel each other.
It’s the Nigerians who started brightly in an attempt to impose their player early on.
The Super Falcons however failed to carve out chances with their possessive play as the Cameroonians took over.
Ajara Nchout came close to opening the scoring in the 7th minute when she got on the end of a floated kick unmarked.
But her header was way too direct and feeble to trouble Oluehi Tochukwu in the Cameroon goal.
Cameroon were at it again after 26 minutes with Deborah Engnamouit with her back at goal being policed by Tochukwu who was off her line.
But she her layoff only found a Nigerian shirt and the danger was cleared.
Eight minutes later, Marlyse Ngo Ndoumbouk charged into the penalty area but couldn’t find the right connection.
Nigeria who had barely had a sniff at goal were gifted a chance with five minutes to end the half.
A mishap in the heart of the Cameroonian defence played Asisat Oshoal in but her poked strike was high and wide.
Oshoala got goal side again three minutes later but goalkeeper Annette Ngo Ndom was equally up to the task.
Nigeria started the second half just like they did in the first but this time around with purpose.
Ngozi Okobi on the run and in some space struck from just outsude the box in the 49th minute but goalkeeoer Ngo Ndom was alert to gather.
She was at it again in the 56th minute when she an attempted clearance dropped to her in the box but her shot went into the side-net.
Goalkeeper Tochukwu scored full marks in the 64th minute by tipping over a teasing shot from Genevieve Ngo Mbeleck.
Desiree Oparanozie almost snatched what would surely have been the winner with 10 minutes of play left.
She burst forward and tried to find the far post with a curling shot but goalkeeper Ngo Ndom had that end well covered.
Both teams failed to fashion out opportunities thereafter and even within the 30 minutes of extra time played as the game headed for the penalty shootout.
Nigeria were very efficient with their kicks with all their four takers; Onome Obi, Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade and Ngozi Ebere all scoring.
Cameroon weren’t that lucky with Deborah Enganamouit and Genevieve Ngo Mbeleck missing theirs.
