Super Falcons of Nigeria made a jerky start to their defence of the African Women Cup of Nations , when they fell 1-0 to South Africa’s Bayana Bayana in their opening group B game at the Cape Coast Stadium in Ghana.
The Super Falcons dominated the game and they had the South African women on the ropes several times, but they failed to convert their chances, most especially the one that fell into the foot of Desire Oparanozie in the 32nd minute. Assisat Oshoala had muscled her way into the box and feed on rushing Oparanozie with the pass, but rather than tap in Oparanozie shot wide.
It was a miss that came back to haunt the Super Falcons in the second half. In the 85th minute substitute Thembi Kgatlana latched on to a lob from the South Africa half and riffled home a shot, which Super Falcons keeper, Tochukwu Oluehi had no answer. The back breaker goal handed the South Africans their first ever win over the Super Falcons who must now win their next two games against Zambia and Equatorial Guinea to advance.
“South Africa have prepared well. They have played a lot of friendlies.
“Everybody wants to beat the champions, everybody wants to beat Nigeria. It is going to be difficult but I have the confidence of getting a good result. I know my team, they are in a really good shape,” said Super Falcons coach Thomas Dennerby.
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