Nigeria's Super Falcons returned home on Saturday after claiming bronze at the 6th African Women Championships in Equatorial Guinea.

The Falcons, uncharacteristically lacking firepower throughout the tournament, needed penalty shoot-outs to subdue the Cameroonians.

Maureen Eke gave the former champions the lead on 28 minutes, racing down the right to meet Ifeanyi Chiejine's threaded pass.

But her effort was cancelled out four minutes past the hour by Aboudi Onguene.

Goalkeeper Precious Dede, responsible for the error that cost Nigeria a place in the final, came up big five minutes later to deny Bella Francois the winner.

When the game went to penalties, Nigeria goal scorer Eke missed the first spot kick, but subsequent misses by Bella Francois and Seraphine Mbida handed Nigeria the bronze medal.

The Falcons arrived at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos and immediately dispersed.