The Super Falcons led by Thomas Dennerby bounced back from a goal down to win the 2019 WAFU B Championship on penalties against hosts Ivory Coast.
The Elephantes took the lead in the 41st minute but the Falcons pulled level in added time of second half to force the meeting into penalty shootout which they won 5-4.
Buoyed by the home crowd, Ivory Coast quickly got into the grove, controlling the early exchanges around Nigeria half.
However, the Super Falcons overturned the tide by the 20th minute, floating the balls mostly through the right flank, manned by Cynthia Aku. But she wasted most of the fine crosses that came her way either by falling in the offside trap or crashing her efforts against Ivorian defenders.
Nigeria maintained domination, with fluid passes in midfield but the opposing defence made sure goal puncher Uchenna Grace was cut off supply.
By the 40th minute the Ivorians made a pacy incursion into Nigeria half, which resulted in a foul on Ivorian playmaker Nguessan Koko, who stepped up to execute the ensuing free-kick, which went past Chiamaka Nnadozie to put Ivory Coast ahead in the 41st minute.
The Falcons attempted a quick comeback but couldn’t alter the scoreline by half time.
The second half was almost a repeat of the first but Nigerian showed more zeal and character to turn the fortunes around while Ivory Coast were holding onto their slim lead.
And when it all looked the trophy was going the Ivorians way, Uchenna Grace equalized by the 93rd minute.
The situation utterly demoralised the hosts who went for the penalty exercise with a low spirit, missing one kick while Nigeria transformed all five to win the 2019 WAFU B Championship title.
