Nigeria international players, Desire Ugochi Oparanozie and Cynthia Uwak, fired a warning to other countries competing at the ninth African Women’s Championship with sterling performances in their various club at the weekend, scoring vital goals.
Oparanozie scored for En Avant Guingamp in a French Feminine League 4-2 win against Rodez while Uwak grabbed a late winner to earn a thrilling 3-2 victory for Aland United at Honka the Finland Naiisten Championship Play Off.
The two players are part of the Super Falcons head coach Edwin Edem Okon is relying on to do well at the AWC slated for Namibia this month.
Guingamp secured their second league victory of the season thanks to the inspirational form of the former Delta Queens striker.
The hosts, looking for their first home win since the League got underway in August, took the lead through a Faustine Robert toe poke from two-yards out
Mbock Bathy added more gloss to the scoreline with the second as the first half ended 2-0 in favour of the Sarah M’Barek lectured girls.
Maud Hurault then found the back of the net by neatly finishing a fine pass for the homers.
Flavie Lemaître’s effort went in and gave the visitors hope of mounting a comeback.
Oparanozie, who was always lurking in the danger zones showed why her club management insisted on her non-release for the AWC with a superb strike with eighteen left on the clock.
Four minutes to the end of regulation time, Anne-Marie Banuta registered her name in the six-goal thriller at the Stade Fred Aubert.
Also, Uwak’s team looked destined to drop vital points until the former African Footballer of The Year popped up to snatch the all-important winner. And the victory for her Finland’s side (Aland United) means that their bid to retain the title still remains intact.
