Nigeria had to wait until four minutes from the end to grab the winner and beat South Africa in the final of the women’s football tournament at the eighth All-Africa Games on Thursday.
Midfielder Blessing Igbojionu’s scrambled effort on 86 minutes earned the hosts a deserved victory as well as the gold medal.
Nigeria, who fielded mainly their Olympic team for this competition, dominated from start to finish but for some woeful form in front of goal should have wrapped up this encounter within the first half an hour.
Skipper Rita Nwadike and the leading scorer with five goals, Julie Ekwerike, all came close as Nigeria launched attack after attack against a South African side that showed too much respect for their opponents.
But some rub of the green as well as the fine form of goalkeeper and captain Delisile Mbatha ensured both teams stayed level until the 86th minute.
Mbatha failed to hold a header from inside the box and the enterprising Igbojionu ran in to scramble home the winner.
Cameroon on Wednesday defeated Mali also by a lone goal to claim the bronze medal. — Sapa-AFP