Aisha Cup May Have Signalled the End of Nigeria Dominance in African Women Football

 

There seems to have been a change of baton at the Aisha Cup. If NFF didn't see it coming in the last African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Cameroon when Super Falcons of Nigeria only managed to defeat the South African ladies Banyana Banyana on penalty kick. Now the Aisha Cup had made it more plain. 

South African ladies has taken over! 

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF may have singled out Dijon of France attacker Desire Oparanozie as the black sheep who put every feet wrong in South African 4-2 thrashing of Nigeria in the final match of the Aisha Buhari Women’s Football Tournament in Lagos. 

Although Super Falcond put in spirited efforts in the second half to score too goals but two penalties and an own goal by defender Michelle Alozie conspired to hand South Africa’s Banyana Banyana victory over the Super Falcons in the final match of the maiden edition of Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos on Tuesday

Despite having in defence, a 38-year old Onome Ebi who was slow and reactive rather proactive in the backline and also conceded a stupid amateur penalty in the first half, the NFF singled out Oparanozie as the escapegoat.

The NFF described the South Africa’s trident attackers, who tore apart Falcons defence with ease, this way: “Youthful, skilful and ambitious, the Banyana looked like they could score with every onslaught on the Nigerian goal, and it took the introduction of four younger players into the Nigerian squad at the start of the second period for the fans to have something to cheer about their own team.

“Kgatlana, with her pace, guile and invention, and Jane Refiloe, Melinda Kgadiete and Hildah Magaia left the nine-time African champions the worse for wear after a horrendous 45 minutes at the MJA,” In their press release after the match. 

NFF may blame Oparanozie or even Ebi, but we see a change of baton, South Africa has taken over!