African Champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria, have lost their opening group game at the ongoing 11th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON18).
The Super Falcons were stunned 1-0 by Bayana Bayana of South Africa in their opening group B game on Sunday, following a late volley in the 86th minute by substitute Thembi Kgatlana.
The defeat means the Super Falcons have now lost their opening game of the AWCON for the first time. It also means the Banyana Banyana secured their second ever victory against the Super Falcons.
Meanwhile, Super Falcons, who won the competition in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2016, are searching for a ninth title alongside a ticket to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France.
The top three teams in Ghana, where the 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is taking place, will fly Africa’s flag in France next summer.