A first half brace from Asisat Oshoala ensured Nigeria become the first team to qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup after beating South Africa 2-1 in their semifinal clash on Wednesday in Windhoek.
Oshoala opened the score on 38 minutes and completed her brace just before half time as the Super Falcons completed a slim win, after Jane Refiloe reduced the deficit for the South Africans in the second half.
The Nigerians survived several attacks from Banyana Banyana in the closing stages to confirm their place at next year’s Women’s World Cup in Canada.
It was the seventh meeting between the two sides in the history of the championship.
The Super Falcons have emerged as the dominant force over the years, but Banyana Banyana were inspired by a solitary goal win in the last meeting between the two sides at the 2012 edition in Equatorial Guinea.
Both teams altered their squads with Nigeria coach Edwin Okon handing a starting role to Ibubeleye Whyte ahead of first choice goalie, Precious Dede while Francisca Ordega was preferred to Esther Sunday.
For Banyana Banyana, goalkeeper Philadelphia Mndaweni was a surprise inclusion, replacing Roxanne Barker, who had kept post for all three previous games during the group phase.
The game started at a fast pace with Nigeria captain Evelyn Chiedu feeding Oshoala with long through passes, capitalising on the spaces in the South Africa defence.
The first major chance of the game fell to Oshoala who was put through by Ordega after 17 minutes but Mndaweni denied the former, saving with her feet in a one-on-one situation.
Two minutes later, the South African goalie came to her side’s rescue again, coming off her line to prevent Oshoala in a similar situation.
Banyana Banyana had a fine chance on 21 minutes when they won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.
Veteran Portia Modise was set up by Jane Refiloe but her powerful shot went narrowly wide.
Ordega missed a good opportunity to put Nigeria in the lead on the half-hour mark heading wide from a Ngozi Ebere cross before Oshoala finally got her breakthrough eight minutes later.
The River Angels forward broke the deadlock on 38 minutes with a shot from close range that deflected off South African captain Janine van Wyk into the net.
Just before half time, Oshoala doubled the lead with a deceptive volley from the right wing after spotting Mndaweni off her line to give the Super Falcons a two-goal lead into the break.
On 67 minutes, Banyana Banyana reduced the deficit through Refiloe with a shot from a corner that was adjudged to have crossed the line before Onome Ebi headed it away.
The goal spurred South Africa on and they pressed the Nigerians further with Refiloe and Sanah Mollo, who replaced Octovia Nogwanya, leading their charges upfront.
Mollo combined effectively with Modise and Amanda Dlamini, launching consistent forays into the Nigerian half.
Sensing danger, Okon brought on Esther Sunday and veteran Perpetua Nkwocha for Ordega and Ngozi Okobi in his quest to re-energise his attack.
South Africa almost got the equaliser just before full time, but Matlou failed to connect a Leandra Smeda cross.
South Africa will face the Ivory Coast in the third place playoff for the third and final World Cup spot on Saturday at 17h00.
TN Mobile Woman of the Match: Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria). – cafonline.com
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