Nigeria teach Ouma and Starlets tough AWCON lesson

The national women’s team Harambee Starlets ungraciously ended their 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations (Awcon) on Saturday with a heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of defending champions Nigeria.

Only debutants at the biennial event, crushing defeats to Ghana, Mali and Nigeria will give Head Coach David Ouma and the ladies a reality check of how they compare against continental greats as well as draw ‘way forward’ plans and reevaluate their targets.

The Kenyans had earlier on Wednesday been knocked out following their 3-1 defeat to Mali and although Ouma had rallied his charges to ensure they bowed out in respectable fashion, they in the end simply lacked the mettle to challenge the nine-time champions.

The former Sofapaka FC tactician made four changes to his previous starting eleven, opting for Vivian Akinyi in goal, introducing Doris Anyango and Dorcas Shikobe in his backline and favouring Janet Moraa upfront.

Lackluster in their 1-1 draw against Ghana’s Black Queens on Wednesday, the Super Falcons were keen to rediscover their ruthless incisiveness in front of goal.

The gulf in class became apparent just inside the first three minutes as Ngozi Okobi drew first blood, scoring past Akinyi with a fine strike from outside the box.

Stunned, the Starlets were allowed no time to recollect as Sweden-based defender Faith Ikidi double the Falcons’ lead just three minutes later and from then, for the Starlets, it was only a case of keeping the scoreline close enough to avoid embarrassment.

In the 28th minute, Arsenal Ladies FC striker Asisat Oshoala almost made it 3-0 with a cheeky lob but it failed to materialize as Starlets took a 2-0 deficit into the break.

Oshoala finally got her name on the scoresheet nine minutes after the restart, finding the net for the sixth time in the tournament to keep her Golden Boot chase alive.

The 22-year-old should have grabbed her brace with 12 minutes to spare but Shikobe arrived in time block her effort with a brave tackle.

The Starlets’ second half defensive display had been far more solid but were torn one last time as substitute Desire Oparanozie rounded off the scoring in the 88th minute.

The Falcons will face South Africa in the semi-finals while Ghana have a date with Cameroon in the other semis tie.