Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire have qualified to the semi-finals at the ongoing African Games Brazzaville 2015 after wins in their Day Two matches on Wednesday.
Reigning African champions, Nigeria’s Super Falcons humbled the Twiga Stars of Tanzania 3-0 at the Massamba Debat Stadium in Brazzaville, whilst ‘Les Elephantes’ of Cote d’Ivoire beat hosts Congo 1-0 in the other Group A clash at the newly built Unity Stadium, Kintele.
Reigning African champions, Nigeria’s Super Falcons humbled the Twiga Stars of Tanzania 3-0 at the Massamba Debat Stadium in Brazzaville, whilst ‘Les Elephantes’ of Cote d’Ivoire beat hosts Congo 1-0 in the other Group A clash at the newly built Unity Stadium, Kintele.
Both Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire have six points apiece whereas Tanzania and Congo are without a point after two games. Hosts Congo and Tanzania have no realistic chance of reaching the next round with a game remaining.
The Falcons led by a goal at half time thanks to Desire Oparanozie, who doubled the lead just a minute after the break, taking her tally to five goals in the competition so far.
Esther Sunday netted the insurance goal on 51 minutes to secure victory for the West Africans.
In Kintele, Josephine Akaffou scored on 38 minutes as hosts Congo slumped to their second successive loss and effectively dashing their hopes of progressing out of the group stage.
Despite the loss, Congo coach Joseph Mpenaya is a happy man with the performance of his team.
“I'm happy with the performance of my players. Because in two weeks, you cannot build a team that fought like they did today. I think these girls have a future. Football is about dominating and scoring. If you don’t score, you only give the opponent the opportunity to punish you,” said Mpenaya.
On her part, Ivorian coach Clementine Toure remarked “when you know the conditions in which we won this match, I can only give glory to God. This was a very difficult match. In front of us was the host country and the crowd was not on our side either. We played with our country at heart. We have to start preparing for semis”.
Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire will face-off in the ultimate Group A match on Saturday, 12 September 2015 at the Massamba Debat Stadium in Brazzaville, whilst Congo and Tanzania play for pride at the same time at the Unity Stadium, Kintele.
The Falcons led by a goal at half time thanks to Desire Oparanozie, who doubled the lead just a minute after the break, taking her tally to five goals in the competition so far.
Esther Sunday netted the insurance goal on 51 minutes to secure victory for the West Africans.
In Kintele, Josephine Akaffou scored on 38 minutes as hosts Congo slumped to their second successive loss and effectively dashing their hopes of progressing out of the group stage.
Despite the loss, Congo coach Joseph Mpenaya is a happy man with the performance of his team.
“I'm happy with the performance of my players. Because in two weeks, you cannot build a team that fought like they did today. I think these girls have a future. Football is about dominating and scoring. If you don’t score, you only give the opponent the opportunity to punish you,” said Mpenaya.
On her part, Ivorian coach Clementine Toure remarked “when you know the conditions in which we won this match, I can only give glory to God. This was a very difficult match. In front of us was the host country and the crowd was not on our side either. We played with our country at heart. We have to start preparing for semis”.
Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire will face-off in the ultimate Group A match on Saturday, 12 September 2015 at the Massamba Debat Stadium in Brazzaville, whilst Congo and Tanzania play for pride at the same time at the Unity Stadium, Kintele.
By: Cafonline.com
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