Female soccer striker fights back rival African nations' claims she is a man

A WOMEN'S soccer player has hit back at accusations she is a man amid claims her country fielded non-female players during the recent African Women's Championship final.

Equatorial Guinea striker Genoveva Anonma's gender was questioned by Nigerian opponents after her country's 4-2 defeat last week, claims she completely rejected.

"I first heard these accusations back in 2006 and 2008," the 21-year-old told German daily Bild.

"I have already been [gender] tested, which I find offensive. These accusations come because I am fast and strong, but I know that I am definitely a woman."

Both Nigeria and Guinea qualified for the women's World Cup next year in Germany, but the latter's passage to the tournament has been clouded amid this controversy.

Ms Anonma - who plays club soccer in Germany - was one of three players under suspicion, with the genders of sisters Salimata and Biliguisa Simpore also doubted. 

Nigeria led the complaints, joined by South Africa and Ghana, and called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to intervene.

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