African Games (Women): Five down, one to go

12 April 2015 11:54

The race for places for the women’s event of the 11th edition of the African Games, Brazzaville 2015, is all but complete with Zimbabwe and Ghana the contenders for the final remaining slot.

Holders Cameroon and four others have confirmed their participation for the 11th edition of the quadrennial multisport event. The four include Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania.

‘Les Elephantes’ of Cote d’Ivoire had already qualified for the final tournament following the withdrawal of Guinea Bissau joining hosts Congo.    

The Super Falcons of Nigeria were the biggest winners with a resounding 8-0 win over Mali in Abuja on Friday and seal their place 9-1 on aggregate. Reigning CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala netted a brace just as strike partners, Desire Oparanozie and Francisca Ordega, before a goal each from captain Evelyn Chiedu and Esther Sunday ensured a return to the eight-team tournament after missing out on the last edition in 2011 in Maputo, Mozambique.

The seven-time African champions led 4-0 at half time with France-based striker Oparanozie breaking the deadlock after just three minutes. Ordega, who has just signed for United States outfit Washington Spirit, increased the tally on 19 minutes before Oshoala shot them up by three goals on 38 minutes. Oparanozie completed her brace with a strike before the break.

A minute from recess, Oshoala took the game beyond the visitors before goals from Ordega, Chiedu and Sunday completed the rout.

In Dar es Salaam, the Twiga Stars of Tanzania managed to go through despite suffering a 3-2 loss against the She-polopolo of Zambia. A spirited second half performance by the visitors saw them cancel a two-goal by the hosts in the first half thanks to Asha Rashid on two minutes and Mwanahamisi Shurua just before the half-hour mark. Grace Chanda, Irene Lungu and Misozi Chisha handed the Zambians a narrow victory but the Tanzanians advanced 6-5 on aggregate.

On Saturday in Johannesburg, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa routed Botswana 5-0 to complete a double and progress 6-0 on aggregate. A woman-of-the-match performance from Sanah Mollo inspired the South Africans to a convincing win. Midfielder Mamello Makhabane broke the deadlock on eight minutes before Portia Modise netted six minutes later to give the hosts a two-goal lead. In the second half, Amanda Dlamini after only seven minutes from the break scored the third before veteran Noko Matlou made it 4-0 on 58 minutes. Substitute Silindile Ngubane signed off victory with the fifth goal on 71 minutes.

Egypt made certain of a representation from North Africa with a shocking 2-1 away win over Senegal in M’Bour. A 37th minute from Nada Nasser gave the Female Pharaohs a lone goal lead at half time. Bineta Diakhate drew level on the hour mark before Salma Tarek notched home the winner on 76 minutes. Egypt progressed 2-1 on aggregate.

In Yaounde, Cameroon came from behind to beat Ethiopia 2-1 and confirm their place 4-2 on aggregate. Gabrielled Aboudji and Ngono Manie scored in either halve for ‘Les Lionnes’ whilst Shitaye Sisiaye was Ethiopia’s scorer.

The final ticket will be decided on Sunday between Zimbabwe and Ghana in Harare. Ghana’s Black Queens were 2-1 winners in the first leg.

Results

Friday, 10 April 2015

Nigeria 8-0 Mali (1-1)

Tanzania 2-3 Zambia (4-2)

Saturday, 11 April 2015

Senegal 1-2 Egypt (0-0)

South Africa 5-0 Botswana (0-1)

Cameroon 2-1 Ethiopia (2-1)

Sunday, 12 April 2015

Zimbabwe vs Ghana (1-2)

Guinea Bissau vs Cote d’Ivoire*

*Cote d’Ivoire qualify after Guinea Bissau withdrew

Qualified teams: Congo (Hosts), Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania  

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