Footballlive.ng reports that Pinnick was all smiles after the Falcons won their ninth AWCON title, third back-to-back, and picked several individual honours at the end of the 11th edition of the continental soccer showpiece in Accra, Ghana.

The NFF boss admitted it was a special day for him, after the Falcons overcame a stubborn South African Banyana Banyana squad on penalties, following a scoreless end to 120 minutes of action to retain the title trophy they also won two years ago in Cameroon.



AWCON 2018: Cameroon Player’s Home Vandalized After Penalty Miss Against Nigeria

The latest triumph was achieved despite the Falcons missing top striker, Desire Oparanozie to injury, and on the back of a 75th-minute penalty miss by three-time African Female Footballer of The Year, Asisat Oshoala.

It was also against the backdrop of the Nigerian team having playing consecutive 120-minute matches at the competition, as their semi-final. Clash against Cameroon four days earlier had also going into a shoot-out from the spot.



Opportunities were few and far between in a tight and cagey game in the Ghanaian capital. Both teams watched each other’s heels closely.

Woman-of-the-match, Francisca Ordega, for the Falcons, and AWCON 2018 top scorer, Thembi Kgatlana, on the South African side, came close with sweet touches in the closing stages of the first half.

Just before interval, Rasheedat Ajibade, who had an uncharacteristic off-day, should have done better as the ball spilled to her from a corner kick.

In the 48th minute, Ordega blasted a good chance over the bar, and 14 minutes later, Ngozi Okobi’s good move and pull –out was over hit.

In the 75th minute, Ordega ran determinedly onto a brilliant pass from Okobi, but was scythed by goalkeeper Christen Swart. Zambian referee, Gladys Lengwe awarded a penalty, but Oshoala screwed her shot and it went away.

Okobi and Ordega would miss chances late on, and substitute Nompumelelo Nyandeni came close with five minutes left but goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, excellent throughout, was on call.

Oluehi would later save from Kgatlana and Linda Motlhalo in extra time, just as Oshoala watched a good shot stopped by Swart, and the game dragged on into penalties.



In the resultant shootout, Onome Ebi missed Nigeria’s first kick, hitting the upright, but she got a respite after Alice Matlou and Ngozi Ebere netted, as Lebohang Ramalepe booted her effort wide.

Rita Chikwelu and Nyandeni scored, as did Chinwendu Ihezuo and Mamello Makhabane, but after Chinaza Uchendu found the roof in a cool manner, Motlhalo watched in agony as Oluehi stretched to stop her kick and hand Nigeria the trophy.

Afterwards, Pinnick, who is also first vice-president of Confederation of African Football (CAF), admitted that the Falcons had made him proud on his birthday.

Pinnick said: “This is very special for me, coming on my birthday. I am very proud of the Super Falcons of Nigeria, and I congratulate them for doing our country proud.

“This is the Falcons’ ninth African title, so the news is not that they won here. We dedicate this trophy to President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR).



“The news is that the Nigeria Football Federation will look for the resources to give the team solid preparation, so that this time, we will make a big impact at the FIFA World Cup and not simply go there to make up the number.”

Credit: footballlive.ng

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After a shaky start to the tournament in a 1-0 loss to South Africa, the Super Falcons sought to amend things with a resounding 4-0 victory over Zambia in the second game to ensure things were still in their hands to go through to the next round.

They ensured qualification on Saturday afternoon with a demolition of Equatorial Guinea who has now conceded 18 goals in 3 matches.

Francisca Ordega opened the scoring within 10 minute slotting the ball under the hapless Equatorial Guinean goalkeeper. Asisat Oshoala who had a bad game against Zambia made amends with two quick fire goals in the 13th minute and the 23rd minutes, ending the match as a contest at this point.

AWCON 2018: Nigeria Thrash Zambia to register first win

Oshoala completed her hattrick in the 33rd minute with a thumping header to send Nigerian fans in the stands into delirium.

The second half started in similar fashion as Nigeria added a 5th goal two minutes later from Desire Oparanozie. Rita Chikwelu added the sixth and final goal to add more woes to Equatorial Guinea’s misery. She was thought to be offside and had only the keeper to beat; she made no mistake.

AWCON 2018: Nigeria Super Falcons lose against South Africa

The result means that Nigeria end the group in second place after South Africa drew with Zambia.

Nigeria will face Cameroon Accra with South Africa facing Mali in Cape Coast.

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Nigeria lost their first game against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana. They will face Zambia, who thrashed Equatorial Guinea 5-0 in their opening game.

“We will do what ever it takes to win the game against the Zambians, we are working very hard to achieve a win.” Dennerby said.

AWCON 2018: Nigeria Super Falcons lose against South Africa

“We have ruminated over the defeat and everyone is focused on what we have to do to get to the next stage,” Dennerby said.

“Yes we disappointed Nigerians by losing our first game, but we can promise everybody for a better result in this next match.”

“We had a very good chat with the players,which we had to inculcate in our minds and visions what the next match means to the team, for Nigeria and for us to qualify for the World Cup  and it starts on Wednesday with a win for Super falcons against Zambia.”

“It will not be easy, but the players have expressed determination to win every match from this stage so that we can progress and pick a ticket to the FIFA World Cup, as a first objective.”

“We are the champions and we have to show that spirit of champions from the next match against the Zambians.”

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Nigeria touched down in Accra on Wednesday evening and immediately left for Cape Coast, where they will be based for their group B games.

A delegation comprising of 21 players and 10 officials hit Accra, the nation’s capital before making the trip to Cape Coast for their Group B games.

I am Behind Kotoko’s Current Struggles-Kwaku Bonsam

The Super Falcons qualified for the 11th edition and are set to defend the title they won two years ago in Cameroon.

The reigning African champions had a successful two-week camping in Epe, Lagos, where they lost 3-2 to Dominion Hotspur in a friendly.

They later embarked on an eight-day training tour in Abidjan, losing 3-1 to Asec Mimosas U16 and later defeating Eleven Sisters 4-0 on Monday at the Sol Beni Stadium.

Nigeria will lodge at Elmina Beach Resort in Cape Coast and will be looking to replicate the superb form to claim their third title in a row.

The Super Falcons are in group B with South Africa, Zambia and Equatorial Guinea.

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The eight –time champions, presently at Sol Beni, Abidjan for an eight–day final camping, will depart for Ghana on Wednesday, 14th November.



Nigeria take on South Africa on November 18, before matches against Zambia and Kenya in Cape Coast.

Hosts Ghana, Algeria, Mali and Cameroon will battle things out in Group A in Accra.

THE 21 FALCONS FOR GHANA 2018

Goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi (Rivers Angels); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Confluence Queens); Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels)

Defenders: Glory Ogbonna (Ibom Angels); Sarah Nnodim (Nasarawa Amazons); Ngozi Ebere (Barcelona FC, Cyprus); Faith Michael (Pitea IF, Sweden); Onome Ebi (Henan Huisanhang, China); Osinachi Ohale (Vaxjo DFF, Sweden); Josephine Chukwunonye (Asarum AIF, Sweden)



Midfielders: Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons); Ngozi Okobi (Eskiltuna UTD, Sweden); Rita Chikwelu (Krstianstand DFF, Sweden); Halimat Ayinde (Asarum AIF, Sweden)

Forwards: Anam Imo (Nasarawa Amazons); Rasheedat Ajibade (FC Robo Queens); Asisat Oshoala (Dalian Quanjian, China); Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, USA); Desire Oparanozie (En Avant Guingamp, France); Chinaza Uchendu (SC Braga, Portugal); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Biik Kazygurt, Kazakhstan)

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