September 21, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, on Tuesday fell to a disappointing 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Bayana Bayana of South Africa in the final of the maiden edition of the Aisha Buhari Invitational Cup Competition.
The ladies from the Rainbow Nation had sounded a note of warning to every participating country when they soundly beat the Black Queens of Ghana 3-0 in their first game in the competition, while Nigeria struggled to a late 2-0 win over Mali.
The Desiree Ellis-managed squad showed their intent from the start, immediately putting the highest-ranked female football team in Africa under pressure from the onset. The dangerous Thembi Kgatlana in particular, was giving the Falcons’ defense a torrid time.
The pressure yielded fruit as the Falcons were behind as early as the fifth minute. But, unfortunately, it was an own goal by Chidi Alozie, who was attempting to clear a ball in from Hilda Magaia.
It got worse for the Super Falcons as they conceded a penalty in the 18th minute. Onomi Ebi was penalised for handling the ball in the area and Linda Motlhalo stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards.
Then, a first half affair turned into a nightmare when Gabriela Salgado made it three just before the interval. She headed in from close range after some good work from the imperial Kgatlana.
Nigeria had scarcely been outplayed on the continent in the female game. In fact, the Falcons were used to being the ones serving out the trouncing rather than being at the receiving end.
The half-time talk must have been tough because Randy Waldrum’s ladies pulled one back immediately after the restart. The tactical changes worked well with the coach’s substitution because Vivian Ikechukwu, who was introduced in the second half, tapped in from close range, after Kaylin Swart missed her attempt to clear a cross-in.
Yet, danger still lurked around the Super Falcons’ area as Banyana Bayana missed an opportunity to get a fourth in the 49th minute when the ball was cleared off the line. Straight back at the other end of the pitch, Nigeria pulled another back in the 53rd minute, Ikechukwu scoring a stunner from range for her brace.
The deficit being reduced, the game took on a more serious tone. Glory Ogbonna went close in the 60th minute for what could have been an equaliser but Swart made a good save to stop the long-range effort from going in.
The Super Falcons, smelling the chance to redeem their image and encouraged by home support pressed for the leveller as the clock ticked away. Their efforts were valiantly rebuffed by the South Africans, who countered the high press.
It was out of this tight corner that Bayana Bayana crafted a fourth goal to effectively end the match as a contest. Motlhalo was brought down in the 85th minute and another penalty was awarded to the ladies from South Africa. Mamello Makhabane stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to make it 4-2 and claim the first-ever Aisha Buhari Cup for themselves.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
