Though both Nigeria and South Africa have qualified for France 2019 FIFA Women World Cup, the finals of African Women Nations Cup takes on another meaning: The Battle to Finish
Banyana Banyana of South Africa having defeated the Super Falcons of Nigera 1 - 0 at the group game are determined to finish what they have started to dethrone the eight times Champions. But the Super Falcons are packed with lots of experience and know how to deliver when it mattered most.
Truly, the Super Falcons haven't been in their best element in this competition and where lucky to have overcome Cameroon on penalty shoot out in the Semi Finals. As they say Penatly shoot out is a no man's game.
Banyana Banyana on the other hand has show such champions character by winning all their games within regulation time.
To get to the final South African ladies defeated Nigeria 1 - 0, Equatorial Guinea 7 - 1 and draw with Zambia 1 - 1 to advance to semi finals.
In their Semi finals on Tuesday, a goal in either half was enough to steer South Africa to a 2-0 victory over Mali. Houston Dash attacker Thembi Kgatlana and Lebogang Ramalepe emerged heroines for Banyana Banyana at the Cape Coast Stadium...as their strikes set up a final date with Nigeria on Saturday, December 1st.
Super Falcons may have woken up from their slumber after they were beaten by South Africa, and went on to defeat Zambia 4 - 0 and Equatorial Guinea 6 - 0, scoring 10 goals and conceded only one at the group stage.
Nigeria went on to defeat Cameroon 4-2 on penalty shootout after a keenly contested 90 minutes ended in a 0-0 stalemate at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday.
The Super Falcons struggled to contain the Cameroonians, who were keen to upstage them, in revenge for their loss to Nigeria at home in AWCON 2017 final...) with captain Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale and Josephine Chukwunonye managing to foil their early threats from attacks led by Gaelle Enganamouit. It sheer experience and confidence that worked for the Nigerian ladies.
You will not help but wonder if such experience of eight times champions will play out again on Saturday or will Banyana Banyana eventually dethrone the Super Falcons. Watch out for this Game!
