Super Falcons beat Cameroun 5-1 to qualify for the finals of the ongoing Africa Women's Championships in South Africa.
The victory has also secured a place for Nigeria in next year's Women's World Cup billed to take place in Germany.
A hat trick from Perpetua Nkwocha and a brace from Ugochi Oparanozie secured victory for the Nigerian ladies who have remained unbeaten in this championships and are on course to win a record sixth African title.
The victory ensured that the five-time African champions booked their passage for next June Fifa Women’s World Cup in Germany and equally paved the way for the Nigerians to re-claim the title they lost to Equatorial Guinea two years ago on Sunday when the curtain will be drawn on the two-week biennial football fiesta....
In her reaction to the five-star performance of the Falcons, an excited Fifa women’s football committee member Alhaja Ayo Omidiran told SuperSport.com in a telephone chat that the Indomitable Lionesses’ kung fu game gave her a scare but hailed Falcons and the expertly handling of the game by the referee.
“Fantastic, very good result and despite the initial bravado of the Cameroonians, the Nigerians put them in their right place.
“I was initially afraid of the Cameroonians rough and physical play. In 2004 I took one of my players to the hospital with a broken jaw she sustained from a Cameroonian hard tackle, in fact, I did petition Caf over the incidence.
“Nigerian players are professionals and play clean football, so that was my fear whether they can withstand Cameroonians kung fu match, but thanks to the marvelous job done by the referee who put them in their proper place. I think this is the best officiated match in the championship.
“So I am happy for Nigeria, happy for women football in Africa and Germany here we come. Special thanks to hat-trick specialist Perpetua Nkwocha, she should keep it up”
On the final encounter on Sunday, the former Nigeria Football Association (NFA) board member said the coast is clear for the Falcons to lift the AWC diadem on Sunday.
“There is nothing stopping Falcons from winning the trophy, I tell them go and get the cup. They have done 60% work picking the World Cup ticket, the next is the trophy to bring the work to 100%,” she enthused.
Nigeria’s goals came off the boots of Helen Ukaonu, Desire Oparanozie and former Caf women footballer of the year Perpetua Nkwocha who achieved a hat-trick, the second in the championship, the first was in the 5-0 mauling of Mali. She has notched up 10 goals less five to hit her personal target of 15 goals with a match to go.
