THE 9th AFRICAN WOMEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 9th African Women Championship began over the weekend in Namibia. There are eight countries participating in the two week event, from 11th to 25th October. 

The teams were divided into two groups of A and B with each group containing four teams and they will play the first phase of the tournament in a round robin.

The matches are being played in two stadiums namely - the Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek, and the Independence Stadium Windhoek. In group A, are Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Zambia and the hosts Namibia. In group B, are Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa and Algeria.

Nigerian women celebrating

On the opening day of the tournament, Saturday the 11th, in group A, the host nation - Namibia beat Zambia by 2 - 0 in the Sam Nujoma Stadium. 

Later in the same stadium, the six time winners of the tournament, Nigeria took on Ivory Coast, which were making their first appearance in the biannual female soccer fiesta, and defeated them  4 - 2.

Then in group B on Sunday the 12th, at the Independence Stadium, Cameroon defeated South Africa with a late lone goal to earn the full three points. While in the second match after that, Algeria beat Ghana with a lone goal also.

 

On the group A table, Nigeria which is aiming to regain the trophy, is on top of the table while Namibia is in the second position, followed by Ivory Coast and then Zambia.

On the group B table, Algeria is on top although it has the same position as Cameroon. They are then followed by Ghana and South Africa which lost their first games with same scoreline.

Group    A

Nigeria       4  -  2    Ivory Coast

Namibia     2  -  0    Zambia

Group    B

Cameroon   1  -  0   South Africa

Algeria        1  -  0   Ghana

On Tuesday, the 14th at the 17.00 hours, in group A, Zambia will lock horns with Nigeria, while at the 20.00 hours later at the same Sam Nujoma Stadium, Ivory Coast will take on Namibia.

Then on Wednesday, the 15th at the 17.00 hours, in group B, Cameroon will play against Algeria, while Ghana will face South Africa, at the Independence Stadium.

The defending champions of the tournament, Equatorial Guinea did not qualify to take part. Ivory Coast knocked them out in the qualifiers series. Read also: Melvinsports.blogspot.com