Super Falcons, Bayana Bayana target AWCON title glory

The stage is set for Saturday's final of the Africa Women's Cup of Nations between reigning champions, Nigeria's Super Falcons and Bayana Bayana of South Africa at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Nigeria is the most successful nation in the tournament's history, having won a record 10 titles and will be hoping to lift the trophy for another record 11 on Saturday since its inception in 1991.

However, South Africa would be desperate to win a maiden trophy after coming close four times. But then, they face a difficult test against a team they defeated in the opening fixture of the tournament 1-0.

How South Africa Qualified 

Still the only unbeaten team in the competition, the Bayana Bayana began its campaign by beating Nigeria 1-0 before annihilating Equatorial Guinea 6-1 and drawing 1-1 against Zambia in its final group fixture.

In the semi-final, the Bayana Bayana defeated Mali 2-0 to book its place in the 2018 AWCON finals for the 5th time.

How Nigeria Qualified

The reigning Africa champions started its campaign on a shaky note after losing 1-0 to South Africa before bouncing back to winning ways in its group fixture, where the team mauled Zambia 4-0 and Equatorial Guinea 6-0 respectively.

The team qualified for the final after edging the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 4-2 via penalty shootouts after both team failed to break the deadlock in the regulation time.

Injury News

With no injury crisis from both teams, however, South Africa will be missing the services of vice-captain Refiloe Jane jetted off to Australia to rejoin her Australian club Canberra United and duly miss the AWCON decider in Ghana.

Notable Quotes

Super Falcons goalkeeper, Tochukwu Oluehi

“Meeting South Africa in the final is what we have been praying for because we want to play them again .

"We want to tell them that winning us in the group stage was a mistake and it’s no going to happen again. I’m sure we will beat them in the final.

South Africa striker, Thembi Kgatlana

“We definitely worked hard to get to the final. It’s going to be a tough one against Nigeria.

“We played them in the first group match of the tournament. The final is going to be a different ball game.

“They’ll want to play for their pride because they wouldn’t want South Africa to beat them twice. But it’s the final and it’s for anyone. It’s there for the taking.”