Kglatana won the most valuable player award in the 2018 AWCON held in Ghana, and also finished as the competition’s highest goal scorer. Her exploits helped South Africa reach the final were they were eliminated by Nigeria in a penalty shoot-out.

Kgatlana, Ordega, Oshoala in final top three https://t.co/JLaRZ5zIew pic.twitter.com/aIZ0S9Q5DR

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) January 1, 2019

Current winner Asisat Oshoala will look to win her fourth after winning in 2014, 2016 and 2017. If she manages to win again, she will be level with compatriot Perpetua Nkwocha who has won it four times. (2004, 2005, 2010, 2011).

AWCON 2018: Asisat Hattrick Helps Nigeria Thrash Equatorial Guinea

Francisca Ordega put out amazing performance in the 2018 AWCON, fans were entertained by her tantalizing style of play and her immense work rate. She was instrumental in Super Falcon’s 2018 AWCON Victory.

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The competition has been described as a huge success and everyone was pleased with the organisation and management of the competition from the start to the end.

One can say the Ghana Black Queens didn’t perform well in the tournament but can’t deny the country’s effort in making the competition a success.

AWCON 2018: Black Queens Crash Out After Draw With Cameroon

Below is the content of the letter:

Mr. Asante Alex Deputy General Secretary Ghana Football Association Cairo, 7th December 2018

Subject: Congratulations

TOTAL WOMEN AFCON- GHANA 2018

Dear Mr. Deputy General Secretary,

We would like to extend to Ghana FA our congratulations for the excellent organization of the final tournament of the 11th Total Women AFCON –GHANA 2018.

CAF would like also to sincerely thank the Local organizing Committee for hosting such a prestigious event and for all the efforts deployed in order to deliver a successful Women AFCON.

Please accept, Mr. Deputy General Secretary, our sincerest regards.

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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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Nigeria were held by South Africa all through the game as both teams couldn’t find the net after 120 minutes including extra time.

Both teams had their chances to take the lead but the game was too tight for either teams. Nigeria had a perfect opportunity to win the game earlier when the referee awarded them a penalty in the 79th minute, but Asisat Oshoala squandered the opportunity as she shot wide.

AWCON 2018: Nigeria Super Falcons Beat Cameroon To Reach Finals

Fans stayed late to witness the game last for 120 minutes before Nigeria won the game 4-3 on penalties.

South Africa will go home with their heads up high as they have already achieved an incredible feat after qualifying for the World Cup alongside Nigeria and Cameroon.

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Black Maidens arrive in the country after World Cup exit

Therese Abena scored twice for Cameroon in the first half, Mali responded with a goal from Fatoumata before the break. Scores were leveled just twelve minutes into the second half when Marie Awona scored an own goal after her sliding clearance went in her own net.

Gabrielle Onguene and Christine Manine’s wonderful goals made sure the Indomitable Lioness won the prize and book their place in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The post AWCON 2018: Cameroon 4-2 Mali – Cameroon seal World Cup spot after bronze match win first appeared on Sahara Football.

She was one of the two penalty takers who missed their penalty that eventually cost Cameroon the final and an automatic qualification to the FIFA women’s world cup.

In a tweet journalist Usher Komugisha condemned the act and called it absurd.

AWCON 2018: Nigeria Super Falcons Beat Cameroon To Reach Finals

Investigations are still ongoing to make sure those responsible are duly punished.

https://twitter.com/UsherKomugisha/status/1068218666939019264

AWCON 2018: South Africa coach Desiree Ellis ecstatic after historic World Cup Qualification

Cameroon however are preparing for the third place playoff which will eventually decide who picks the final spot for Africa in the Women’s world cup next year.

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South Africa beat Mali on Tuesday to achieve World Cup qualification spot and also progressing into the final of the African Women’s Cup of Nations.

“This is not about this team only, this is about South Africa. This is about all the coaches who have been there before [us], the players who have been there before [us], coaches in the Sasol League. But most importantly it’s about our sponsor Sasol and it’s about our South African football federation,” Ellis said after the Mali game.

AWCON 2018: Nigeria Super Falcons Beat Cameroon To Reach Finals

“We would not be where we are if they were not on board. They’ve been tremendous in the preparation we had over the year. They made sure that we had the best preparation possible, which does not guarantee you success, but this team is amazing. We have a core of over 50 players and they are all amazing. We thank God for this great opportunity. We are going to France and that’s what it’s about.”

South Africa will lock horns with Nigeria in the final on Saturday in the Accra Sports Stadium.

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The Super Falcons came into the game as favorites after recovering from a poor start against South Africa. They were also looking to retain the AWCON title.

The first was a cagey affair with Cameroon playing mostly on the counter. Nigeria were unable to influence the game as they would have wanted. Oshoala was restricted to very few clear goal scoring chances with Orderga too struggling to influence the game upfront.

AWCON 2018: Asisat Hattrick Helps Nigeria Thrash Equatorial Guinea

The second half was more of the same. Cameroon were brave in bringing the game to Nigeria this time but the final third was where both teams were lacking any cutting edge.

The game went into extra time after a goalless 90 minutes and an eventual penalty shootout after both teams failed to find the net.

AWCON 2018: Nigeria Super Falcons lose against South Africa

Nigerian goalkeeper Oluehi emerged as the hero, saving two of the Cameroonian spot kicks to send Nigeria to the final and effective to the FIFA women’s world cup which takes place next year in France.

Nigeria arrive in Ghana ahead of AWCON

Nigeria will meet South Africa again in the final after they beat Mali 2-0 in what will be a rematch of the opening game where they lost to the Bayana Bayana.

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The coach was speaking following the premature exit of the queens from the AWCON 2018 which Ghana were expected to host and win.

We Are Prepared To Host And Win AWCON – Coach Bashir Hayford

“I don’t think so, I don’t I have done anything that I should resign”, he said. “If I have committed any blunder, yes I will willingly. My job is to come and coach them, play tournament”, he added.

“I don’t think if you take 32 teams to World Cup, 31 will resign, because only one person will win. I don’t think that is the issue”.

Black Queens Get Huge Donation From Ghana’s Speaker Of Parliament Ahead of AWCON

The Black Queens crashed of the tournament with four points after failing to beat Mali in their second game and drawing with Cameroon in their last game. They had started with a win over Algeria on opening day.

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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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