Nigeria beat South Africa on penalties to win 2018 women's AFCON

The Super Falcons of Nigeria beat their South African counterparts 1-0 in the final of the 2018 African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) in the final played in Accra on Saturday, December 1.

In a game of few chances, neither side could get the goal as the game stretched into extra times and then penalties.
The Bayana Bayana lost two of their penalties to hand the title to Nigeria who now have nine AWCON trophies.

Nigeria continue their dominance in African women’s football by winning nine of the 10 AWCON titles in the history of the tournament.

The Super Falcons didn’t come into this game as favourites for the first time in recent years and very rare in the history of the tournament.

Nigeria had lost their opening game of AWCON 2018 to South Africa and the Bayana Bayana came into the final with a lot of confidence.

The South Africans started the game on the front foot with Jermaine Seoposenwe trying a shot from the 25 yards out which Nigeria goalkeeper Oluehi Tochukwu comfortably collected.

Asisat Oshoala threatened for the Super Falcons with a header two minutes later but South Africa goalkeeper, Christen Swart was at the right place at the right time.

Despite the barren scoreline, the game was lively and end to end as both teams tried to get the goals.

Oshoala had a chance from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute Francisca Ordega was fouled in the box but the reigning Africa’s Women’s Player of the Year went wide with her effort.

At the end of 90 minutes and extra time without a goal, the final for the first time in the history of the competition went into penalties.

Nigeria missed their first spot-kick but South Africa missed two to give the Super Falcons a 4-3 win to give them their third consecutive AWCON title and their ninth in history.

Super Falcons’ Ordega was named Woman of the Match while South African forward Chrestinah Thembi Kgatlana was adjudged the Woman of the Competition, the award given to the best player at AWCON 2018.