Oshoala the star act as Nigeria thump poor E. Guinea

Geoffrey Mwamburi in Accra,Ghana

Assisat Oshoala scored a hat-trick as Nigeria advanced to the semi final of the ongoing African Women Cup of Nations at the Cape Coast Stadium after beating Equatorial Guinea 6-0. South Africa also sealed their place to the last four from Group B after a 1-1 draw against Zambia at the Accra Stadium.

Francisca Ordega opened scoring in the 10th minute before Oshoala doubled Falcons lead three minutes later, before completing her hat trick with two other strikes in the 22nd and 44th minutes respectively.

France- based forward, Desire Oparanozie gave the defending champions the fifth goal three minutes after the break while Rita Chikwelu netted her side’s sixth goal of the game three minutes after the hour- mark.

In Accra, Thembi Kgatlana scored first for the Banyana Banyana before Racheal Kundananji restored parity for the Shepolopolo to ensure shared spoils.

Janine van Wyk free-kick also had a good chance driving a free kick from the left edge of the box but it did not have power, Zambian keeper Hazel Nali, easily collecting it.

In the 66th substitute, Jermaine Seopesenwe played Kgatlana down the right, who rounded Nali but she shot wide.

After their two outstanding opening results beating 10-time winners Nigeria 1-0, and then hammering two-time champions Equatorial Guinea 7-1, Banyana Banyana needed not to lose by three goals against Zambia to be sure of progression to the semis.

“I congratulate South Africa for qualifying to the semis. As I said earlier my team consist of young players and they were playing against experienced team, I will prepare them and I am sure in the next AWCON edition we will perform better,” said Zambia coach Bruce Mwape.

“As usual, my focus is playing the in the World Cup and I see we are almost there. I will prepare my team in the semi final match against Mali and I believe we shall sail through to the finals,” Said Desiree Elis, the South Africa tactician.

Cameroon will now meet Nigeria in the semis on November 27 at the Accra stadium while South Africa will play Mali at the Cape Coast, the winners meeting on December 1 in the final.

AWCON semis pairings

27th November 2018

Cameroon Vs Nigeria (Accra Stadium)   6.30PM

South Africa Vs Mali (Cape Coast Stadium) 9.30PM