Super Falcons beat Cameroon for AWCON trophy [updated]

The Nigerian side Super Falcons has defeated the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 1-0 to grab the AWCON 2016 trophy.

The Super Falcons emerged champions of Africa after beating Cameroon in Yaounde on Saturday.

Desire Oparanozie scored the only goal that saw the Falcons beat the Indomitable Lionesses in a nervy final match.

The final match was played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Omnisports Stadium in Yaoundé, a forty thousand capacity stadium.

An 86th minute goal from Desire Opranozie for the Super Falcons was enough to dash the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon’s hope of wining their first AWCON title.

Meanwhile, the coach of the Super Falcons, Flowrence Omagbemi has made history as the first person to win the AWCON as a player and a coach.

The win has seen Nigeria secure their eight African title even as Coach of the Nigeria team, Florence Omagbemi, made history to become the first individual to win the AWCON as a player and a coach.

The Super Falcons have dominated this competition, winning all but two of the 10 editions played so far.

In a repeat of the 2014 final, Cameroon finished as runners-up again despite enjoying massive home support.

In front of Cameroon president Paul Biya, the hosts had the best of the first half, with a number of chances for Aboudi Onguene.

But the Indomitable Lionesses failed to make the most of their opportunities, even with the Falcons looking like an average team and not the defending champions.

In the second half, Oparanozie, who also scored Nigeria’s winner against South Africa in their semi-final, hit the decisive goal again when she broke the deadlock seven minutes from time.

Read also: Falcons lock horns with Lionesses in AWCON final in Yaounde

She followed through on a pass from the tournament’s leading scorer Asisat Oshoala to give her team the trophy.

The winning goal from Nigeria was a huge blow for the hosts and the thousands of fans who filled the 40,000 capacity Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium more than five hours before kick-off.

Security in the stadium was stepped up for the final because of the presence of President Paul Biya and roads were blocked for several kilometres around the stadium since early morning.

Thousands more supporters were locked outside after tickets were given out free as “invites’’.

There were three fan parks around Yaounde set up for people to see the game.

Ghana finished as bronze medallists after a 1-0 win over South Africa on Friday.

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