African Women’s Cup of Nations Qualifier
Kenya Harambee Starlets 1-1 Algeria Agg 3-3 Kenya go through on away goal rule
Cherish Avilla Salano was the hero as she scored an equalizer to help Harambee Starlets hold Algeria to a 1 – 1 draw to book a slot in the 2016 African Women Cup of Nations final tournament to be played in Cameroon in the return leg match played at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Bouheni Naima opened the scores in the 23rd minute after Starlets conceded a free kick outside the goal area. The visitors got confidence after the goal as they continued mounting pressure.
Algeria went to the break leading 1-0 and on resumption Starlets coach David Ouma made changes to allow Cheris Avilia come in for Anne Aluoch with Habiba Sadou paving way for Oumeur Sabrina for the visitors.
Ther change paid off handsomely as they fired from every cylinder with their efforts being rewarded after Algeria conceded a free kick that was taken by Christine Nafula and scored by Cherish Avilla Salano who slotted home in the 75th minute.
Starlets arrived in this game buoyed by their hopeful fans. Esse Akida was the tormenter- in-chief, troubling the Algerian defense with her pace and quick feet.
Mwanahalima Dogo Adam’s goal was disallowed in the 16th minute with the referee ruling her offside. Algeria had the presence of mind and stamina to hold off Starlets, who perhaps gave their best display in the better part of the first half raiding their opponents.
Nigeria Super Falcons 2-0 Senegal Teranga Lionesses Agg 3-1
Nigeria’s Super Falcons put the potential distraction of the tussle for the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation by the Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa-led factions to earn a place at the African Women Cup of Nations to be hosted by Cameroon later this year, with a 2-0 (3-1 aggregate) win over the Teranga Lionessses of Senegal at the National Stadium, Abuja, yesterday evening.
Goals by midfielders Rita Chikwelu (36th minute) and Osarenoma Igbinovia (46th minute) sent the Falcons soaring to a 3-1 aggregate win over the Senegalese, following both teams’ 1-1 draw in Dakar last Friday.
Nigeria will join Ghana, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and two other countries for the 10th AWCON billed to be hosted by Cameroon, between November 19 and December 3.
The seven –time African champions fluffed a hatful of chances in the first half, with Arsenal FC of England new signing Asisat Oshoala looking a lot less sharp than her usual self and forward Desire Oparanozie forced to start from the bench as a result of the injury she sustained in the first leg.
Oshoala even failed to convert from the penalty spot after Ebere Orji was upended in the box, before Chikwelu connected a brilliant pass to put Nigeria in front in the 36th minute.
Igbinovia was at the right place to connect another brilliant pass from the right just a minute into the second half, to, somehow, settle the nerves of dignitaries and spectators who were on hand to watch the game.
The Senegalese, who had coach sent off in the 50th minute for dissent, sat back deep and incited their hosts to come attack them.
South Africa Banyana Banyana 3-0 Botswana Agg 5-0
Banyana Banyana booked their spot at the African Women’s Cup of Nations after securing a 5-0 aggregate win over Botswana.
A brace from Sanah Mollo handed the South Africans a 2-0 win in the first leg in Botswana on Saturday.
After missing a couple chances in the early stages, Banyana broke the deadlock after 15 minutes, as Mamello Makhabane converted from the penalty spot.
The lead was doubled in the 30th minute thanks to a strike from Sanah Mollo, after a fine pass from Janine Van Wyk. Her third goal of the two-legged tie.
Vera Pauw’s charges were in full control and extended their advantage four minutes later through Nompumelelo Nyandeni to make it 3-0 on the night and 5-0 on aggregate.
Despite the home side’s dominance, the score remained 3-0 at the break.
Neither side really threatened to find the back of the net in the second stanza. Although, Banyana did hand a debut to Bambanani Mbane in the 78th minute.
The score remained 3-0 at the full-time whistle, as Pauw’s charges progress to Women’s Cup of Nations in Cameroon, which is scheduled to take place from 19 November to 3 December.
Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe are the first two teams to qualify for the 10th Africa Women’s Cup of Nations Cameroon 2016, beside the host country.
Zimbabwe Warriors 3-2 Zambia Agg 4-2
Officially, the Warriors of Zimbabwe were the first team to confirm their ticket to Cameroon after a 3-2 victory over Zambia away on Sunday in Lusaka and 4-2 on aggregate.
It is the first time since 2004 that Zimbabwe will be participating at the flagship women’s tourney, and they had to wait for 12 years to break the curse. Zimbabwe, due to represent Africa at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June with neighbours South Africa, had the last laugh this time after Zambia edged them in the qualifiers two years ago.
Zimbabwe went up after seven minutes through Kudakwashe Basopo before Noria Sosala volleyed home the equalizer on 23 minutes. The Warriors restored their lead through Samkelisiwe Zulu nine minutes before the break, only for Misozu Zulu to level on the hour mark from the spot. On the strike of full time, Emmaculate Msipa struck the winner to complete a double over the Shepolopolo.
Equitorial Guinea 2-1 Mali Agg 3-2
Two-time winners Equatorial Guinea also confirmed their place after a 2-1 win over Mali in Malabo, and go through 3-2 on aggregate. ‘Nzalang Nacional’, who missed out on the last edition two years ago, needed a goal in each half from Jade Boho Sayo and Adriana Costa to qualify whilst Bintou Koite scored in between for the Malians.
Egypt 1-2 Cote d’Ivoire Agg 2-2 Egypt qualify on away goal
Egypt has qualified for the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations for the first time in 18-years at the expense of Cote d’Ivoire via away goals after a 2-2 tie on aggregate.
The Lady Pharaohs suffered a 2-1 loss to ‘Les Elephantes’ in the second leg clash of the final round on Monday in Abidjan but the consolatory strike from Nevein Gamal was all the North Africans needed to confirm their ticket to the 10th edition in Cameroon later in the year.
Gamal scored four minutes from time to break the hearts of the Ivorians who were on the brink of qualification after first half strikes from Rebecca Elloh and Ines Tia N’rehy.
The result serves the major upset in the qualifiers thus far following the exploits of Cote d’Ivoire at the last edition two years ago in Namibia, where they finished third to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.
The Pharaohs, one of the pioneers of the women’s flagship continental championship in 1998 in Nigeria, had to wait for nearly two decades for another shot amongst Africa’s elite.
After failing to win a game at the maiden edition in 1998, the Egyptians were surprisingly ousted by Reunion two years later. The closest they came was in 2012 and 2014 but lost to Ethiopia and Tunisia respectively at the final round of the qualifiers.
The final tournament has been fixed for 19 November – 3 December in the Cameroonian cities of Yaounde and Limbe.
Qualified countries:
Kenya,South Africa,Egypt,Nigeria,Ghana,Zimbabwe,Equitorial Guinea,Tunisia
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