Sports

13th African Games: Defending Champions Falconets Lose Title To Hosts Ghana

Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team Falconets in the early hours of Friday morning lost their African Games football title to the Black Princesses of Ghana 2-1 in the final, reports Prime Business Africa.

The game that kicked off at 9.30pm Nigerian time in Thursday night was dragged to extra time after the game ended in 1-1 draw after regulation time.

Loveth Edeh put Nigeria ahead in the 22nd minute when she tucked home the ball from a rebound after Ghana goalkeeper Afi Amenyeku spilled the ball.

Nigeria continued to dominate the game in terms of possession but Delight Isaac saw a great effort come off the woodwork.

Jumoke Alani headed wide early into the second half after Chioma Olise delivered a great cross into the box.

Tracy Twum equalised in the 78th minute as Faith Omilana failed to keep out the shot from the Ghana star forward.

Nigeria’s coach Christopher Danjuma introduced goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi in place of Omilana after the latter got injured in a goal-mouth melee.

Abiba Issah could not restore Nigeria’s lead with a good opportunity early into the extra time which proved costly as the hosts converted their own chance in the 98th minute through Mukarama Abdulahi.

Izuchukwu Okosi

Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc. In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio. He worked there for 13 years until October 2017. Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch. He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations. Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line. Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.