The African Women's Championship Round Up!

Hi guys, another overdue blog that I don't have to apologize for, because it's what I'm accustomed to doing now. I assume this is the number one stop if you need the 'latest' news in Women's Football, literally...haha...ahem, let's get to it then, shall we.

"Campiones! Campiones! Oe Oe Oe!" Nigeria are champions of Africa.

Entering November there's only 2 spots remaining to fight for in getting into the biggest Women's Sports event of next year, the FIFA Women's World Cup which will be hosted in Canada. In the space of 3 months we've had 14 teams qualify for the tournament.
Europe had seven teams qualify for the tournament in September, while Oceania -which you may commonly know as Australia- had one representative from the continent in New Zealand. Australia themselves qualified along with four other Asian teams earlier this year.

The rest of the qualifying teams came from Africa, who for the first now have 3 slots into the Women's World Cup, a big improvement for African football who use to have just two, North America had 3 teams also and also South America, with 3 as well and both American continents still have a chance at a fourth team in the tournament.

So here's my review on Africa's very own;

The African Women's Championship 2014
The 11th African Women's Championship took place in Namibia and it received an awesome continental coverage. The defending champions of the tournament, Equatorial Guinea, did not get a chance to defend their title as they were knocked out in the qualifying stage for the tournament by Ivory Coast which was quite a shocker.
So with no Genoveva Añonma -Germany's Turbine Postdam's star striker- and the Equatorial Guinea team, 8 time African Champions, Nigeria really looked clear favorites in winning the competition, despite their uncharacteristic display two years ago when they lost to South Africa in the semifinals and Cameroon in the third place game.

Group Stages
The competition had 2 groups in it, Group A had Ivory Coast, the host city, Namibia, Nigeria and Zambia while Group B consisted of Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana and South Africa.
Both Nigeria and Cameroon won their groups while Ivory Coast and South Africa came second in Group A and B, respectively. South Africa qualified on goal difference over Ghana.
Also there was a brilliant piece of history made in Group B as South African striker, Portia Modise became the first African to score 100 international goals.

Semifinals
Nigeria would face South Africa in the semifinals just like two years ago, but the Bayana Bayana of South Africa couldn't pull the upset they did in 2012.
Nigeria ran out 2-1 winners thanks to a brace from their rising star, Asisat Oshoala, the second goal was as spectacular as they come -doesn't matter if she meant it or not-. There was controversy deciding South Africa's goal against Nigeria which was only a consolation after the final whistle was blown. The ball seemed to have been cleared off the line via a header by the Nigerian defender, but the officials decided it crossed the line before it was cleared.

In the other bracket, Cameroon faced Ivory Coast in the semifinal and it was a nervy game for both sides, 1-1 in normal time, but the Indomitable lionesses of Cameroon eventually won the game in extra time via defender, Christine Manie.

Due to the recent three spots for African teams, there was still hope for one of South Africa or Ivory Coast to qualify for the World Cup as both embarked to bounce back in their game against each other in the third place fixture.

Third Place
The third place game turned out to be an unbelievable spectacle! Ivory Coast were the chosen ones after winning 1-0 over South Africa . It was an incredible game with South Africa having all the chances left, right and center but couldn't find that finishing touch in the final third and they were punished by an absolute belter of a strike by Ivorian defender, Ida Guehai. The ball dropped to her feet after a corner kick and she struck it furiously into the back of the net to give Ivory Coast a piece of history of qualifying for the Women's World Cup for the very first time.
After the final whistle both teams were consumed with emotions, the South Africans aghast at their failure to do what needed to be done and the Ivorians in tears and ecstasy of joy in making history.

Ivorian coach, Clamentine Toure after coming down from cloud 9 said she told the players to believe and have confidence at the break and all that played out in getting the winning goal while Bayana Bayana's coach Vera Pauw, explained that her contract has now run out due to not qualifying, she also went on to say "...we've worked so hard for eight months, and for nothing, ...that's the reality..."
Tough luck for South Africa but Congratulations to Ivory Coast.
if you want to watch the highlights of the game and coach reactions, here you go --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UtLnWTGTfM&list=UU8FHc06x1T7v6TzoLxVG6bg

The Final
In the last African Women's Championship, this fixture was a third place game in which Cameroon won 1-0, now it was the final, both teams had both qualified for the World Cup due to reaching this stage. Nigeria have been ever present at all Women's World Cups since it's inception in 1991 and Cameroon -like Ivory Coast-  making history going for their first ever World Cup.
Nigeria won Cameroon 2-0 making the Super Falcons' revenge complete as they had beaten both teams that caused them heartbreak in 2012.

Nigeria took the lead in the 11th minute through a freekick after a foul on midfielder Ayinde. Nigeria's goal machine, Desire Oparanozie scored the freekick with a lovely effort, bending the ball around the wall and into the net.
Few minutes later, Cameroon's star striker, Gaëlle Enganamouit had an effort on the ball that hit the bar.
Just 2 minutes before half time, Asisat Oshoala added to the deficit as she clinically finished after a cross from forward, Fransesca Ordega. The indomitable lionesses now had a mountain to climb.
Cameroon had a couple of chances to pull one back and get into the game but there was no getting past Nigeria's goalkeeper, Ibubeleye White.

The final whistle blew and Nigeria were Champions of Africa for the 9th time, head coach Edwin Okon dropped to knees in prayer, and the Super Falcons were extremely jubilant.
Cameroon were disappointed not to get the win but had their chins raised due to an impressive performance in the tournament and very importantly their qualification into the World Cup.

Oshoala with the Golden Boot and Oparanozie with the Golden Ball

Accolades
Nigeria's forwards won two awards, Desire Oparanozie won the Golden boot, the award helps the confidence of the striker after missing out on making the squad in 2012. Oshoala continues to be impressive, the U20 breakout star won the Golden ball award and I continue to say it "she's the future!"
Nigeria didn't sweep the awards, Cameroon's goalkeeper, Annette Ngo Ndom, won the Golden glove award while South Africa got the compensation of the fair play award.
It was an awesome tournament ending with Nigeria lifting the trophy above the rest of Africa, Edwin Okon, the Nigerian coach now says it's time to look forward to begin preparations for the World Cup.

So congratulations to Nigeria on being champions and also Cameroon for qualifying to the World Cup.
Here are highlights of the final! -->https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX2GpmZ7Rt0