Women’s Glory: Nigeria 1 v 0 South Africa

Football lived up to its billings (The beautiful game) at the on going All Africa game on Thursday in Abuja. With a capacity of 60,000 fans, the organisers of the games, COJA learnt the importance of football in a more bizarre way, no thanks to the unruly behaviour of the fans.

Interestingly though, team Nigeria had shot ahead on the Medals table before the soccer clash between the Nigeria female side and their South African counterparts. Emotions and tension filled the air as the fans of Abuja cheered the Nigerian girls ceaselessly.

Ageless, Super Falcons skipper, Rita Nwadike, dictated the tune of this pulsating encounter. The girls from the South stretched the game for the better part of first half, soaking the pressure and showing the resilience of a great side.

Strikingly, the period was littered with great misses on the part of the Nigerian girls, who stunningly boast of a goal scoring record (14-goals before the final) in the Africa games.
South Africa had Veronica Phewa upfront managing the attack with her sleekly moves but with a determined Yinka Kudaisi marshalling the Falcons defence, there was little for Oyinanya in goal for the host to worry about.

The fans wailed, cried and sang for a goal, which would only come in the 84th minute through Igbojionu Blessing who capitalised on a defensive blunder on the part of the tired South African back four.

The South African girls fought hard to level the tie but all their efforts got thwarted by Ikudaisi’s sensitive interception. The Nigerian girls might have left it pretty late but the goal of the game had been achieved, A GOLD MEDAL!

Idle Wind’s popular hit track “Stand up for the Champion” began an endless party after the tie as the Nigerian fans went wild in jubilation.

*Notable Quotes!

“Always disappointing to lose, but Nigeria deserved to win. They had all the chances and could have won by four or five goals…” Mike Green, South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

“ A very exciting game of contrasting styles. But since football is about taking risks and scoring goals, Nigeria won. But must look for younger and more talented players…” Ade Ojeikere, Authoritative Nigerian sports Pundit

“ Fairly balanced game, Nigeria had the better part of the exchange and deserve the gold. It was a great game by all standards…” John Vigah, Ghanaian Times

“A good game no doubt, the Nigeria girls deserve victory, they played better. South Africa put up resilience but could not withstand the pressure. Nigeria deserve the gold…” Bayour Issah, Complete Sports Newspaper (Nigeria)

“ A gritty South African resistance versus a sleek playing Nigerian side that often lacked the power upfront. The gold is going to the better side and the silver, to the more determined side. A credit to the rapid development of the female soccer on the African continent…” Richard Tom Avornyotse, Ghana News Agency

“ The Nigerian girls never gave up and kept pressurising the South Africans who were only waiting for a slip from the falcons. I believe Nigeria played better and won…” Adekunle Salami, Punch Newspaper (Nigeria)