Afrigather Nigeria’s Falconets fell brief of their quest for glory as they emerged runners-up within the inaugural version of the extremely anticipated WAFU B U20 Ladies Cup of Nations.
The thrilling closing in opposition to arch-rivals Ghana ended with a 1-1 draw at full time, but it surely was the Black Princesses who in the end prevailed in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, claiming a 3-1 victory.
Regardless of Ghana internet hosting the occasion, Nigeria entered the match because the agency favourites to overcome their everlasting adversaries.
The Falconets dominated the opening phases, crafting a handful of promising alternatives below the steering of their astute coach, Chris Musa Danjuma.
Nonetheless, Ghana struck first, capitalizing on a penalty conceded by Nigeria to internet their captain, Stella Nyamekye, from the spot. This marked the primary purpose the Falconets had conceded all through the complete competitors.
As the primary half ended, Nigeria desperately sought to revive parity however fell in need of discovering the elusive equalizer.
The second half noticed the Falconets launch a relentless assault on the Ghanaian defence, relentlessly pressuring their opponents and carving out quite a few probabilities.
Alas, luck appeared to elude them as they struggled to search out the right closing cross or the fortuitous bounce wanted to breach the purpose line.
In a outstanding flip of occasions, Flourish Sabastine lastly broke by Ghana’s resistance within the 84th minute.
Seizing a possibility introduced by the opposing goalkeeper’s misjudgment of a routine cross, Sabastine calmly tapped the ball into an unguarded internet.
The reduction and pleasure that accompanied her purpose have been palpable, significantly since she had been liable for the penalty that allowed Ghana to attain their solitary purpose. This important strike marked Sabastine’s fourth purpose of the match.
With solely a minute of normal time remaining, the Falconets momentarily switched off, practically permitting Ghana to grab a dramatic stoppage-time winner.
Nonetheless, destiny intervened in Nigeria’s favour because the ball ricocheted off the crossbar, saving them from heartbreak.
With the rating deadlocked at 1-1 after the complete 90 minutes, the match progressed on to a penalty shootout to find out the champions.
The Black Princesses displayed nerves of metal, coolly changing three of their spot-kicks, whereas Nigeria managed to search out the again of the web solely as soon as. Consequently, Ghana’s gamers etched their names in historical past because the first-ever winners of the WAFU B U20 Cup.
