ACTUALITE |
31.10.2006
Women’s Championship : Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana Impress
They won their first matches at the 5th African Women’s Championship underway in Nigeria.
After the first playing day in Group A on Saturday and Group B yesterday, the eight teams at the 5th African Women’s Championship in Nigeria are observing a day of rest today. It was a harvest of goals in Group A as favourites dominated the new comer and the outsider. In the opening encounter, six goals were scored. Hosts and perennial champions, Nigeria, gave a baptism of fire to Equatorial Guinea, 4 — 2, at the Warri township stadium, Delta State, Nigeria. It was, however, not an easy victory for the star-laden Nigerian squad which included striker Cynthia Uwak, shortlisted for Fifa Women`s Player of the Year award, and Perpetua Nkwocha, reigning African Woman Footballer of the Year. The impressive Equatorial Guinea squad could have held Nigeria to a draw, but for the fact that they finished the match with just nine players.
The uninspiring display from the defending champions left their coach Effiom Ntiero and fans of the Super Falcons, who had expected an easy ride for Nigeria, disappointed. "The girls lost concentration and we cannot afford to do that because any country that plays Nigeria is overly determined. We have to put this game behind us and approach subsequent games with utmost determination." Ntiero told BBC Sport. In the second match of the group in Oleh, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana also made a difference as they humbled North African powerhouse Algeria with a 4-0 spanking.
In the Group B matches played yesterday, 2004 edition runners up, Cameroon, was held to a one all tie by RD Congo in Ughelli. Cameroon’s Ngono Madeleine scored the tournament’s fastest goal after just 10 seconds of play. In the second Group B match at Oghara, Ghana defeated Mali 1-0 to top Group B. With each team having to play barely three matches in the group stage, the second encounters will be very decisive. It would be an opportunity for those who started off with victories to confirm their superiorities. The less fortunate of the first day of play, on the other hand, will seek to turn the tides.
In group A, the victors take on the losers tomorrow. If Nigeria beats Algeria and South Africa outplays Equatorial Guinea, then the die for the second round will be cast in the group. Nigeria and South Africa would move on. The Lionesses, on the other hand, will play their second match on Wednesday against perennial rivals, the Black Queens of Ghana at Ughelli. Mali Faces RD Congo in Oghara.
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Hits: 1 | Source:cameroon-tribune.cm | |
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