AWCON 2016: Nigeria’s Super Falcons Are African Champions Again

Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Saturday emerged African champions with a hard-earned victory over Cameroon. The Falcons’ 1-0 defeat of the Lionesses ensured that they retained the AWCON title they won two years ago. The match proved to be a particularly stern test for the Nigerian team. The Cameroonians created several chances; goalkeeper Jonathan Alaba was called to action on a number of occasions, as the Lionesses tried in vain to break the deadlock. In the end, Desire Oparanozie’s second half strike was all the Falcons needed to secure a victory. The Falcons’ triumph on Saturday was significant, partly because it came against the host nation, in a match played at the Estado Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé, Cameroon. Nigeria has now won the AWCON trophy eight times, far more than any other team in African women’s football.