AWCON: Desire returns to haunt Cameroon again as Nigeria retains tenth title

Cameroon wasted a lot of scoring chances with the duo of Aboudi Gabrielle and Enganamount Deborah being the main victims.

It was not a result the Lionesses would have loved to have in front of their president Paul Biya and home fans at a fully packed 40,000 seater stadium.

But Oparanozie who scored the opener in their 2-0 victory over Cameroon in 2014 in Namibia was at it again comfortably controlling the ball in the box in the 84th minute before coolly slotting home with a precise low shot.

Lionesses could have taken the lead in the fourth minute when Aboudi Gabrielle latched onto a loose ball in the midfield dribbled past Nigeria defence but ballooned her effort before goalkeeper Jonathan Alaba came off her line to punch away Enganamount Deborah's free kick for a fruitless corner.

Nigeria responded immediately, but Francisca Ordega's attempt was deflected for two fruitless corners taken by Ngozi Okobi.

Okobi then saw her surprise shot in the box go wide before Oparanozie was fouled by Falone on the left flank with Okobi's resulting free kick well cleared by the hosts' backline before Deborah's 23rd minute effort was saved by the Super Falcons' custodian.

Cameroon had the best chance of the game in the 26th minute but Gabrielle's shot in the box was blocked by the Nigerian defence.

In the 33rd minute, Cameroon striker Madeline Mani beat the Falcons' offside trap but was denied by the goalkeeper, who was already out of her line.

Cameroon awarded a free kick five minutes into the second half after Mani was fouled by Onome Ebi. However, Deborah’s resulting shot went over the bar before Gabrielle wasted another precious scoring chance.

The hosts continued pilling pressure with Onome's shot saved by Jonathan before Mani shot directly into the keeper's hands in the 57th minute.

Mani then paved way for Mbeleck Genevieve as Cameroon Coach Enow Ghachu made his first substitution before Deborah feebly shot at Jonathan in the 79th minute.

Two minutes later, Gabrielle then had another glorious opportunity but her feeble shot was easily gathered by Jonathan.

Cameroon were punished in the 84th minute when Oparanozie comfortably controlled the ball in the box, shrugged off her marker before the advancing goalkeeper.