The Super Falcons of Nigeria have crashed out of the Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2022 after losing to Morocco through penalty shoot-out.
The nine-time Africa Women Cup of Nations Champions fought gallantly against all odds but bowed out of the semifinal on penalties, losing 5-4 to Morocco.
The team took the lead in the second half in the 62nd minute despite being one woman down after Halimatu Ayinde received a matching order following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review in the 48th minute.
The hosts levelled up in the 66th minute through a strike.
Things went from bad to worse for the team as they went down to nine players after Rasheedat Ajibade bagged her second yellow card following another VAR Review.
The Falcons survived the regulation time and forced the encounter into extra time which did not produce much surprises.
The goalkeeper Nadozie Chiamaka was exceptional as she put on display her goalkeeping heroics.
Morocco finally edged Nigeria out as they, one after the other, scored all five penalty goals with Nigeria missing one.
At the end of the match, it was Morocco 5 – 4 Nigeria. Morocco advances to the final of the WAFCON2022 while Nigeria will later play the third place match.
In the meantime, the Nigerian side have qualified for the women’s world cup next year after defeating the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon at the WAFCON2022 on July 14.
News Band had reported that the Nigeria’s female football team defeated the Lionesses to qualify for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The Falcons defeated Cameroon 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
The World Cup will be held in Australia and New Zealand consecutively.
Meanwhile, South Africa also beat Tunisia 1 – 0 in the quarterfinals to qualify for the championship.
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