Related Post
Mary Nkpa and Peace Effiong got the all-important goals for Nigeria to send Flamingos to the final of the maiden edition of the regional competition.
It was billed to be a straightforward game for the Flamingos following the team’s dominant display in the group stages.
Nigeria had crushed the Niger Republic 9-0 in their first match before edging to a 3-2 win over Cote d’Ivoire to qualify as Group B winners. On the other hand, Benin had to face Ghana twice, losing both games, following the withdrawal of Togo and Burkina Faso.
However, inside the Centre Prampram in Ghana, Benin held their own against Nigeria for the best part of an hour.
Nigeria finally broke the deadlock just past the hour mark when the referee awarded the Flamingos a penalty after spotting a handball in the Beninioise danger area.
Mary Nkpa made no mistake from the spot as she blasted her effort past the opposing goalkeeper to break the deadlock.
Shortly after, the Nigerian girls doubled their advantage after super sub Effiong capitalised on a defensive mixup from Benin to poke into an empty night.
The Flamingos had the ball in the net for a third goal but the referee ruled it off after consultation for a Janet Akekoromowei foul on the goalkeeper in the buildup.
There was to be no further goal as Nigeria held on to set up a date with eternal rivals Ghana in the final of the tournament on Sunday.
Hosts Ghana booked their spot in the title decider with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Cote d’Ivoire in the first semifinal earlier on Thursday afternoon.
Nigeria and Ghana have already qualified for the next edition of the U17 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.
