By Jacob Ajom
The stage is set for the Titanic battle between the Super Falcons of Nigeria and the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroun as both sides square up for the final ticket of the 2010 African Women Championship in South Africa.

Falcons

The Super Falcons of Nigeria had their last walk out yesterday under the watchful eyes of Coach Uche Eucharia who assured Nigerians of victory over their eastern neighbours but warned her compatriots not to expect an easy match.

“We know the Cameroonians and they too know us. We are no strangers to each other,” the Nigerian sweat merchant volunteered soon after the Cameroonians defeated a determined Algerian side to book their semi final pairing against Nigeria.”

Both sides are yet to lose a game so far in this competition and according to the Cameroonian coach, their ambition is to qualify for the World Cup next year.“I won’t lose a game here. I am playing to the final and lifting the cup. Our aim is to qualify for the world cup in Germany and to do that, we must play to the final and in the process, we will not lose a single game”, he boasted.

Records show that Nigeria and Cameroon played themselves twice in the 2004 edition hosted by the same South Africa.
At the group stage, the Lioness came back from 0-2 down to draw 2-2 against Nigeria but the Cameroun team then further surprised  many by displaying their naivety on the big stage, going down 5-0 to the same Falcons on the final day.

A repeat performance was to follow in 2006 and this time it was in the semi-finals and the red hot Nigerian ladies dished out another 5-0 spanking to the Cameroon team.

Cameroon and Nigeria met again in the 2008 edition in the losers final and Cameroon should have won this time, though the more experienced but out of form Nigerian side still ran away 4-3 winners on penalty after full time had ended 1-1 apiece.

The results between both nations become very embarrassing if the 6-0 drubbing in the semis of the inaugural edition in 1998 and the 3-0 spanking in the group stage of the 2000 edition is to be taken into consideration. The Cameroon team since the inception of the Africa women championship can only boast of a solitary point against Nigeria but this particular occasion, it’s certain that it will be wits for wits