Nigeria and South Africa in another African Women Championship battle

It's a battle we have in our hands as two perennial rivals square up against each other in what has been termed the clash of the giants in Group A.
Nigeria playing for the first time in the Africa cup of nations for women without the tag of defending champions takes on the host and eternal rivals, South Africa in the ongoing 7th CAF Africa women championship, SOUTH AFRICA 2010.

Banyana Banyana laboured to a 2-1 victory over the Twiga stars of Tanzania in the opening match of the competition while Nigeria strolled to a comfortable 5-0 win against Mali but the statistics could be deceiving going by the fact that the past encounters between both sides had been closely contested.

The Nigerians buoyed by the fact that they have never lost to South Africa in any CAF organized encounters could suffer from overconfidence and they could be in for a shock from the in-form host just like the 0-1 loss to Ghana some years ago on home soil.

The Super Falcons underwent a surgical operation after suffering the indignity of losing to Equatorial Guinea in the semi-finals of the 2008 edition in Malabo with the early signs manifesting from the manner they struggled to qualify from the group stage behind South Africa. The unenviable feat saw them surrendering the African crown for the first time. The ones deemed to be tired legs were weeded out and in came a different set of younger players from the U-20 team that stunned the world in Germany and the U-17 side to Trinidad and Tobago both this year. Only four players with previous nations cup experience were included in the team to this competition.

The South Africans on the other hand, seem to be enjoying the best period in their women's football history going by their achievements in the last two years. Banyana Banyana played to the final of the AWC two years ago after surprising book makers by coming tops from a group which included Nigeria and Ghana. But for the overwhelming home support and some extraordinary football played by Equatorial Guinea in the final, South Africa got less than they deserved after adding Cameroon to their list of big name casualties with an emphatic victory in the semi-finals.

South Africa and Nigeria both have 3 points and a victory for either side could mean a leg already in the semi-final stage of the competition. It's the clash of the elephants and the grass surely will be there to suffer.

http://www.cafonline.com/competition/african-women-championship_2010/news/7032-nigeria-and-south-africa-in-another-african-women-championship-battle.html

Uche dismisses Banyana 'big' match claims

South Africans may have billed their African Women Championship Group A clash with Nigeria as the big match of the tournament, but the suggestion has left Nigeria coach Eucharia Uche amused. 

"We have always played South Africa and each time we hear the same thing. But they cannot intimidate us," she said.

"This is a match like every other match for us and there is no room for complacency.

"We came here prepared to win the trophy and we are taking every match as it comes.
"I know that we will not drop any point against the South Africans."

Nigeria opened their campaign with a 5-0 win against Mali, and Uche insists that the focus is on the trophy.

"Two years ago, Equatorial Guinea shocked us. This time, we are here with a resolve top reclaim our trophy."

The Super Falcons meet Banyana Banyana at 09h45 Nigerian time.

http://www.kickoff.com/news/18602/eucharia-uche-dismisses-banyana-banyana-big-match-claims.php

^^News from the Enemy's camp . . . . . .

Banyana ready for Super Falcons


Banyana Banyana are ready to do the country proud when they take on Nigeria in the African Women's Championships at Sinaba Stadium tomorrow.

The game between South African girls and the Super Falcons is set to kick-off at 11h00.

Banyana have never beaten Nigeria in the history of this tournament, but team manager Zanele Khanyile is confident that the Augustine Malakalane-led side will write their own history and achieve a good result against the Super Falcons this time around.

Speaking to KickOff.com, Khanyile said the spirit in the South African camp is very high and everyone is ready for the game tomorrow.

"The mood is very positive. Everyone is very excited and looking forward to the game tomorrow. We had our training this morning and I can say we are both mentally and physical ready for the big challenge.

"I don't want to make lot of promises but I assure all South Africans that we will do our best to make them happy after the match against Nigeria."

Khanyile refused to give out any information related to injuries ahead of the match.

"I cannot talk about injuries but can confirm that we have the best team available to face Nigeria tomorrow."

The Super Falcons beat Mali 5-0 in their first game of the tournament whilst Banyana Banyana escaped with slender 2-1 win against Tanzania in the opening match on Sunday.

Khanyile conceded that they will need a potent striking force if they hope to bring down the Nigerians who brought most of Under-20 players that took part in the World Cup held in Trinidad and Tobago.

"The coach has been working not only with striking force but the whole team in terms of improving their performance. We have capable strikers that I am confident will do the job for us." 

http://www.kickoff.com/news/18622/banyana-banyana-ready-for-nigerias-super-falcons.php

I expect the Falcons to win 2 nil.

Lets go Falcons. . .make Semid proud

We'll beat SA as usual

Table is about to be turned. Nothing last forever.Go Banyana Banyana GO!

Table will not be turned. Maybe between Mali, Tanzania and SA. Victory to the FALCONS.

So far so so good. The Should be 1-0 already but the goals will come

Bayana almost score! Come on ladies. Do not give them hope. Goal. Nkwocha done it again

Nkwocha, What a miss. That should be the 2nd goal

@yousoup,
where u dey watch am from?

2nd goal by Nkwocha

@kaydkay. Watching SABC1. South african channel.

What a scorche from SA. 2-1. Dede, what are you at? Game on

That referee na bagger. The freekick that led to the goal by S.A was unnecessary. Anyway end of 1st half

Half time score
Nigeria - 2 Nkwocha  Nkwocha
S.A 1 - Van Wyk

If this is the best we can offer then we aren't good enough.

If this is the best we can offer then we aren't good enough.

where una dey watch this match from?

This 2nd half is worst. We can't make complete 3 passes together. South africa dominating so far

This referee needs flogging. Wrong calls everytime

Precious Dede has lost her mojo as top goalkeeper. Too many obvious mistake today. Still 2-1 and 8 minutes to the end of the match. BORIND 2ND HALF

so no goals this 2nd half? can't they score?

why Naija TV is not showing the match

Nkwocha play as a midfielder in the 2nd half, that is the reason there is no goal for us. Into 3 min added time

Game over. 2-1. Nkwocha 5 goals in two matches

It's funny but South Africa's  best two players are whites. . .Kylie-Ann Louw and Janine Van Wyk

zenus:

why Naija TV is not showing the match

SABC and DSTV are stingy with the rights

Honeric, see your life. . .you argue so tey spambot do you strong thing

yousouph:

Game over. 2-1. Nkwocha 5 goals in two matches

Highest goalscorer right?

semid4lyfe:

Honeric, see your life. . .you argue so tey spambot do you strong thing

the thing no dey fear face at all


@na_so
you have been freed too oo, thank me sha!

honeric01:

Highest goalscorer right?

Yeap. . .5 goals now and highest goal scorer.

Guy, today's match nor easy o. Those South Africans have seriously upped their game and they really meant business today.

Today's victory was due to the individual brilliance of Perpetua Nkwocha. It could have ended 2-0 if not for the foolish referee that manufactured a "freekick out of no where" for the South Africans which they dully converted.

Anyway, we're already in the Semi-final and should meet one of Ghana, Equitorial Guinea or Cameroun but the Falcons need to be more mobile, put the ball on the ground & string passes together as opposed to the police football they played today and be more clinical in front of goal if they hope to go beyond the Semi-Finals.

Coach Uche Eucharia has her work cut out for her.

semid4lyfe:

Yeap. . .5 goals now and highest goal scorer.

Guy, today's match nor easy o. Those South Africans have seriously upped their game and they really meant business today.

Today's victory was due to the individual brilliance of Perpetua Nkwocha. It could have ended 2-0 if not for the foolish referee that manufactured a "freekick out of no where" for the South Africans which they dully converted.

Anyway, we're already in the Semi-final and should meet one of Ghana, Equitorial Guinea or Cameroun but the Falcons need to be more mobile, put the ball on the ground & string passes together as opposed to the police football they played today and be more clinical in front of goal if they hope to go beyond the Semi-Finals.

Coach Uche Eucharia has her work cut out for her.

Well, maybe they wanted to respect them? anyways i know we are going to win the cup.