NIGERIA'S SUPER FALCONS CROWNED WAFU'S CHAMPIONS

Nigeria beat host Cote d’Ivoire 5-4 on penalties in the final on Saturday (18 May 2019) in Abidjan to be crowned champions of the 2019 West Africa Football Union (WAFU) ‘B’ Women’s Championship.

Tournament sensation Uchenna Kanu levelled for Nigeria in the final minute of added-on time (90+4), cancelling Koko Ange’s spectacular free-kick opener in the first half to force the game into penalties. The Super Falcons proved superior on penalties converting all five spot kicks against four by the host nation, a successive final loss for ‘Les Elephantes’.

 Earlier, last year winners Ghana toppled Mali 8-7 on penalties after a barren stalemate in regulation time.

 The eight team tournament held from 8-18 May 2019 featured six teams from the zone plus guests Mali and Senegal. Matches were played at the Robert Champroux Stadium and Parc des Sports, both in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan.

Ivorian Ange was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament whilst Nigerian Kanu picked the top scorer with 10 goals in five matches, including five in the 15-0 thumping of Niger at the group stage. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, also of Nigeria was named the safest pair of hands.



Results

Group A

08.05.2019    Ghana 2-0 Senegal

08.05.2019    Cote d’Ivoire 5-0 Togo



10.05.2019    Ghana 6-0 Togo

10.05.2019    Cote d’Ivoire 4-0 Senegal



13.05.2019    Ghana 0-0 Cote d’Ivoire

13.05.2019    Senegal 1-2 Togo



Group B

09.05.2019    Nigeria 5-1 Burkina Faso

09.05.2019    Mali 12 -0 Niger



11.05.2019    Nigeria 15-0 Niger

11.05.2019    Mali 3-1 Burkina Faso



14.05.2019    Mali 0-2 Nigeria

14.05.2019    Burkina Faso 5-0 Niger



Semi-Finals

16.05.2019    Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 Mali

16.05.2019    Nigeria 0-0 (4-2pen) Ghana



Third place

18.05.2019    Ghana 0-0 (8-7 pen) Mali



Final

18.05.2019    Nigeria 1-1(5-4 pen) Cote d’Ivoire