Uchenna Kanu’s solitary goal seal maiden Amazon Cup for Tigres

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Uchenna Grace Kanu’s 20th-minute goal gave the hosts, UANL Tigres a 1-0 win over German side, Bayern Munich to win the maiden Amazon Cup at the Estadio Universitario in Monterrey, Mexico.

Kanu’s header was the only goal of the game in front of 35,000 soldout enthusiastic spectators.

After an initial phase in which both teams initially felt each other out and only came close to the opponent’s goal with harmless actions, Tigres took the lead when Kanu headed in a cross to make it 1-0 for the hosts in the 20th minute.

Bayern then got into the game better and Bühl was about to equalize in the 43rd minute but was denied by Tigres goalkeeper Aurora Santiogo as the Mexicans went into the half-time break with a narrow lead.

Bayern took control in the second half and Sydney Lohmann in the 55th minute came close to equalizing after a cross from Dallmann.

However, several corners did not bring the Reds anything as possession of the ball and the flow of the game gave Bayern hope for a goal soon.

Simon came close in the 57th minute and Dallmann in the 60th minute and other Bayern players missed numerous other chances before the final whistle.

To the delight of tens of thousands of Mexican fans, it remained 0-1 from a Munich perspective and the Copa Amazonas stayed in Monterrey.

Nigeria forward Kanu who scored the winning goal has been impressive since joining Tigres from Swedish Allsvenskan side, Linkopings.

During her first season, she scored 12 goals in 19 league games and has scored 10 goals after 19 league games this season for the Mexican side.

Kanu and her teammates will now focus on their next Liga MX Clausura game against Puebla on January 24.