AWCON 2018 Review: The evolvement of Asisat Oshoala and Nigeria

“Her dedication to her talent has gone a long way to show us how much an African woman can achieve if she dedicates herself to it. Babe, we love you regardless of just being counted as a good substitute.”

— Simiso Shabangu, FirstTouch Africa

After being crowned more than any other team in the Total Women’s AFCON, the Super Falcons are struggled to keep their heads above the water in this year’s tournament. After losing their first match to Banyana Banyana by 1-0 scoreline, their win against the She-polopolo of Zambia was the only reason why they were not knocked out earlier in the tournament. Have they evolved, the Nigeria side who were once like a gun packed with bullets? I mean, they have Asisat in their team. Now that they have taken the title home, how much weight of the club has this lady carried on her shoulders.

Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria reacts after missing a breakaway attempt during the FIFA Women's U-20 Final against Germany at Olympic Stadium on August 24, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

(Aug. 23, 2014 - Source: Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America)

First and second match

The coach, Thomas Dennerby expressed his disappointment not only because of the Super Falcons’ loss but even when they won. He mentioned that the goals that they scored did not match the quality that he had cultivated into the team. Even Asisat was not playing at the expected level that we had also praised her at in our deep dive about her. She was held responsible for missing several chances that came to the Nigerian side. Notably, in the 69th minute, she collided with a good opportunity which was however, eclipsed by her teammate Ordega. Even though she was the best goal scorer in the same tournament two years ago, she was not able to score up to that point. Two matches with nothing? Babes, you got us worried at that point.

Third Match

Francisca Ordega #17 of Nigeria celebrates her game-tying goal against Sweden with Onome Ebi #5, Asisat Oshoala #8 and Ngozi Ebere #23 during the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 Group D match between Sweden and Nigeria at Winnipeg Stadium on June 8, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada.

(June 7, 2015 - Source: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America)

Chances do not just come, but they do come to revive lost hope. In their third match, against Equatorial Guinea she snatched 3 goals out of 6, to her name. That is incredibly carrying half of the weight of the team on her shoulders. In as much as some claimed that this was not her full potential being realised, it was still in line with the greatness we always anticipate from her. They say the higher you go, the colder it becomes, but that was not the case for Nigeria. The higher they went up the game, the hotter and harder it became. Their match against Cameroon led to a goalless 90 minutes of just running around the pitch. However, when it came to the desperate measures, penalties, Asisat was put on the spotlight and she lived up to the expectation ad scored. That was another 25% of the team’s victory carried on her head the same way some African women carry water pots on their heads.

Final Match

We are not sure if it came with the nerves that was exerted by the pressure or what, but she missed the penalty which happened to be Nigeria’s only chance to snatch the trophy under normal time. She also lost the Top Goal Scorer Award to Thembi Kgatlana from South Africa. At least her name appeared in the best substitutes’ list. Has she fallen from glory?

Sometimes it is not your present performance that affords you credit, but your past contribution to the team is what we cannot forget. Asisat might have not performed at the expected level in this tournament but we know how much she has done, not just for herself but for the Nigerians and the rest of African women. Her dedication to her talent has gone a long way to show us how much an African woman can achieve if she dedicates herself to it. Babe, we love you regardless of just being counted as a good substitute.

2018 AFCON Women's Build Up: Kenya out of Women’s AFCON; Nigeria and South Africa name squads

“The player Annette Jacky Messomo is eligible to play for the National Team of Equatorial Guinea.   ”

— Confederation of African Football

AFCON 2018 latest developments; Equatorial Guinea joins Nigeria, Zambia, Ghana, Mali, Algeria, Cameroon and South Africa as Kenya makes an humiliating exit from Africa Women’s Cup of Nations. CAF has overturned a decision to ban Equatorial Guinea from the competition after Federación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol appealed the October 2018 ban imposed by CAF’s Disciplinary Council for allegedly fielding an ineligible player for a second leg tie of the 2019 AFCON qualifiers. CAF announced in a statement that an enquiry into the case of Annette Jacky Messomo who had been previously deemed to be ineligible to play for Nzalang Nacional because the footballer was a Cameroonian, had led to the decision to reinstate Equatorial Guinea.

Miriam of Equatorial Guinea issues instructions during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Group D match between Equatorial Guinea and Brazil at FIFA World Cup stadium Frankfurt on July 6, 2011 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

(July 5, 2011 - Source: Christof Koepsel/Getty Images Europe)

Equatorial Guinea have won the tournament twice in the past and once finished as runners up to Nigeria. In 2016, Nzalang Nacional was also banned after it was discovered that they fielded ineligible players against Mali in the qualifiers. Accusations of an identical offense in this year’s qualifiers against Kenya brought a fresh ban that saw them disqualified from the tournament. The Harambe Queens of Kenya had taken the remainder of the eight spots after the exit of Equatorial Guinea. Now that the decision has been overturned, Equatorial Guinea will replace Kenya in Group B where they will face Zambia in their first match on the 18th of November.

Meanwhile, Group B rivals South Africa and Nigeria have announced their 21 women squads that will be in Ghana. The Super Eagles who are now in training camp in Ivory Coast have announced a squad that consists of 13 overseas players including star player Asisat Oshoala, who is currently with Dalian Quanjian F.C. in the Chinese Women’s Super League and  Desire Oparanozie who plays for French side En Avant de Guingamp. South Africa are set to face hosts Ghana in a friendly at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium this Sunday in Accra .

Equatorial Guinea will face tough challenges from Nigeria and South Africa in the group stages. After a rocky start, they now have a chance to play for the championship title and for a third place qualifying finish for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

2019 AWCON: Falcons regain momentum as EG succumb to another humiliating defeat

Ever since the Falcons were defeated by South Africa in their opening match last Sunday, many began to scrutinize the team’s chances of retaining the AWCON title. After the upset, the 10-time champions  were on a mission to remove any doubt amongst fans of their championship form and ability. On Wednesday night they did just that as they subjected the She-polopolo of Zambia to a brutal 4-0 defeat. The win was a reminder to fans and spectators of the game why they deserve to be called the best team on the continent.

Emily Zurrer (R) of Canada and Desire Oparanozie (L) of Nigeria battle for the ball during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Group A match between Canada and Nigeria at Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion on July 5, 2011 in Dresden, Germany.

(July 4, 2011 - Source: Martin Rose/Getty Images Europe)

The Nigerians dominated the game scoring the first goal in the first half and packing the last three goals into the second half. Despite the dominance of the Nigerians, the She-polopolo defence proved difficult for the Falcons in the early stages of the game. Eventually, the Nigerians established their lead in the 42nd minute thanks to the precision of En Avant de Guingamp striker, Desire Oparanozie.

The Super Falcons built on the momentum of the 1-0 lead in the second half with Francisca Ordega, Rasheedat Ajibade and Amarachi Okoronkwo all scoring in the second half to secure the much needed win for the defending champions.

Zambia had started the tournament with a very convincing 5-0 win against Equatorial Guinea while Nigeria suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to their Southern African rivals, Banyana Banyana. Both teams need to secure a win in their final group stages match on Saturday to qualify for the semi-finals.

Meanwhile in the second match of the day, Group B counterparts South Africa put one foot in the semi finals as they pulled out a great performance against Equatorial Guinea to win the match 7-1.

Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa runs with the ball during the Women's Group E first round match between South Africa and China PR on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Aug. 5, 2016 - Source: Harry How/Getty Images South America)

Banyana Banyana showed their skill and solid tactical advantage over the two-time AWCON champions throughout the match. The opener came in the form of a penalty which was awarded when defender Dorine Chuigoue was sanctioned for a handball inside her penalty area. Houston Dash forward, Linda Motlhalo was given the responsibility of taking the penalty and she did so with ease, giving South Africa 1-0 lead in the 20th minute of the game.

Thembi Kgatlana pulled out two assists and a brace against Nzalang Nacional. The goal scorer in opening match against Nigeria reinforced why she is a crucial part of the South African attack and for Houston Dash in the National Women's Soccer League. She is laying up quite a claim for being the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations if you ask me.

Amanda Mthandi and Jermaine Seoposenwe also added their names to the score board minutes before the final whistle to bring to a close the amazing collective performance from the South Africans. Desiree Ellis’ team will look to maintain the brilliant form through to the semi finals where they will have a real chance of being crowned the champions at the 11th edition of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, for what would be the first time-ever.

South Africa’s next match up will be against their Southern African comrades the She-polopolo while Nigeria are strong favorites heading into the Equatorial Guinea match.

Mali make crucial comeback as Ghana’s Black Queens suffer a shock defeat

AWCON is well underway and the tournament has so far lived up to the anticipation and hype. Here is a recap of Match Day 3: Group A fixtures

Mali vs Ghana

Patricia Mantey of Ghana lies injured on the pitch during the women's international friendly match between Germnay and Ghana at Benteler Arena on July 22, 2016 in Paderborn, Germany.

(July 21, 2016 - Source: Lars Baron/Bongarts)

The Mighty Black Queens suffered a shock defeat in their second group match at the hands of Mali on Tuesday Night. This after the Ghanaians had launched a solid AWCON campaign in the opening match by beating Algeria by 1-0. ‎Les Aiglonnes of Mali fell to Cameroon 2-1 in their first group stage encounter. Coming into the match with three points, Ghana were in a considerably more comfortable position and a win would have secured a place for the host nation in the semi finals.

Mali opened the scoring in the 22nd minute of the game after a penalty was awarded against Ghanaian goalie Patricia Mantey. Ghana struggled to come back from the one goal deficit  in the first half and for most of the second half until the 72nd minute when substitute Elizabeth Addo, affectionately called Ama Pele successfully converted the second penalty of the night. A defence mishap in the form of poor defending from goalie Patricia Mantey saw Mali back in front after Bassira Toure flipped the mistake in the favour of Mali. The final score was Ghana 1 -2 Mali. Bassira Toure was consquently awarded the player of the match award.

Mali head coach, Houssein Saloum made two changes to the starting XI that lost 2-1, bringing on Lala Dicko and Aissatou Diadhiou for Kani Konte and Bintou Koite. The tactical move paid off as ‎Les Aiglonnes were able to successfully hold back the Ghanaians.

Cameroon vs Algeria

Cameroon line up before the Women's Football first round Group E Match between Great Britain and Cameroon on Day 1 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Millennium Stadium on July 28, 2012 in Cardiff, Wales.

(July 27, 2012 - Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)

Cameroon are on a winning streak as they beat Algeria on Tuesday night, a 3-0 showcase in which Les Lions Indomptables were unforgiving against the North Africans.The first goal came in the 13th minute from Gabrielle Aboudi Onguen after she mounted a solo effort that pitted her against Algerian keeper Kahina Takenint. Avaldsnes IL striker, Gaelle Enganamouit netted the second goal from an assist by Ajara Nchout who scored the third goal for Cameroon six minutes later.

Algeria have now lost back to back matches, rooted at the bottom of Group A standings while The Indomitable Lionesses who are still unbeaten after their two opening matches, lead the group with 6 points.

Group A matches will resume on Friday for the final match ups; Ghana vs Cameroon and Mali vs Algeria. After Tuesday’s loss, Ghana will have to mount a come back charge of their own to win their last group match on Friday against Cameroon in order to secure a semi final place. Cameroon will definitely pose a great challenge for the Black Queens with the match-up likely to be their toughest one yet.

Meanwhile, Zambia will take on Nigeria whereas South Africa go up against tournament late comers Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday night at 17:30 and 20:30 GMT respectively.