IFFHS DAILY REPORT WOMEN'S WORLD FESTIVAL 2022 - JULY 7
Picture : South Africa's team with captain Jane Rafiloe, best player of the match yesterday, already qualified !
South Africa for ¼ finals, Nigeria bounce back on day-2 of WAFCON group C.
Day 2 of group C registered the logical trend of event as the giants prevailed over the Lilliputians. The day also confirmed the FUS-Rabat based group as the most offensive so far.
The South Africa vs Burundi fixture went underway with the former bent on giving their opponents no breathing space. It took 20 minutes for the incessant raids by South Africa to bear fruits. Thembi Kgatlana served Noxolo Cesane for a return to sender who ultimately pierced the Burundian mantle at the rear for the first goal. Ten minutes on, Burundian binary combination upfront replicated with Aniella Uwimana gracefully connecting from an Asha Djafari assist. But jubilation time lasted just two minutes courtesy of Amogelang Masego’s conclusion of the hard work by Robyn Moodaly. It was at that juncture that juvenile goalkeeper Jeanine Irakoze demonstrated her goalkeeping ability. Twice, she sparkled at goal including stopping a 53rd minute penalty by Jermaine Seoposenwe. But then the keeper would be at the origin of another foul that yielded a penalty and subsequent third goal for South Africa when Linda Motlhalo transformed from the spot. Further outstanding defending by Burundi characterized much of the second half until the heat boiled adrenaline to unbearable levels, causing them to take red through Annociate Nshimirimana on 70 minutes. With one woman down the die was cast for Burundi as they endured further onslaught from their opponents who ultimately won the game, a place in the quarterfinals, as well of the Woman-of-the-match award through Jane Rafiloe.
In the second match on the night, defending champions, Nigeria (picture up with Alozie Chinwen, n°20) resolutely came back into contention after losing in their opening game. Not even the departure from camp of the most cherished Asisat Oshoala after suffering what is described as a Grade 2 medical collateral ligament strain could deter the Super Falcons in their bid to bounce back from adversity. The technical staff rested goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi in favour of the more experienced Chimaka Nnadozie; while Ifeoma Onumonu coming in from Benfica clearly fitted in the boots of Oshoala. The result was a stifling of the Tswanans from start to finish. They had two undisputed goals to show for their status of pike against minnow: On 21 minutes, Ifeoma Onumonu latched onto a through ball before flicking it past the goalkeeper to the far angle. 3 minutes into resumption, newcomer Christy Ucheibe headed a corner kick straight past the commendable goalkeeper Maitumelo Boseja for the second goal to land Nigeria a 2-0 victory on the night. Francesca Ordega was the Woman-of-the-Match.
The two last games of group A will be played tomorrow at 9 p.m. simultaneously. Morocco vs Senegal at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, and Burkina Faso vs Uganda at the Mohamed V Stadium.