The Nigerian Super Falcons hosted the 3rd African Women’s Championship at home and it was a campaign that brought out the best in a ruthless group of young girls who wanted to impress at home.
The team was a combination of youth and experience, as it was built around entrepreneur Anna Chiejine at Goal, Kikelemo Ajayi, Stella Mbachu, Nkiru Okosieme and Florence Omagbemi. It was a team that had the best defense, midfield and attack.
The Super Falcons were grouped into Group A alongside teams from North Africa, Morocco and Egypt, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo forming the four-team group. The group stage matches were scheduled for October 17, 1998 and it was a rain of goal for the reigning African champions.
In her first match against the Atlas Lioness of Morocco, the reigning African champion was absolutely ruthless in front of goal by scoring eight goals against the hapless Moroccans. The match finally ended with an 8-0 margin, sending warning signals to all other opponents of their intention to retain the coveted trophy.
Their second group match was against the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the goal party continued with the team tearing the Congolese 6-0 apart in a one-sided encounter that made fanatical fans hysterical.
The last match of the group stage was played on October 23, 1998 against the Egyptian women’s team and the goals continued to fall as the Super Falcons demonstrated why they are the reigning champions with a wide score of 6-0 at the end of the normal regulation time. The victory paved the way for a spot in the semi-finals against Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon on October 27, 1998 and the Super Falcons proved the bookies right with an incredible 6-goal thriller against seasoned Cameroonians.
The stage for the final match was set, as Nigeria faced the Black Queens of Ghana in a mouthwatering match that brought out the best in women’s football. When the dust finally settled at the end of the 90-minute thrilling soccer match, it was Nigeria who won the day with a 2-0 win over the relentless Ghanaians.
The excitement of a third consecutive African Women’s Championship win was in the air and fans had every reason to celebrate with the Super Falcons scoring a record 28 goals without conceding. It was a feat never surpassed in African women’s football to date.
