Nine-Player Super Falcons Lose 4-5 On Penalties To Atlas Lionesses

• Full-time Morocco 1-1 Nigeria

Hosts Morocco stunned Nine-woman Nigeria 5-4 on penalties to book their place in the final of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the first time in their history at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay-Abdellah on Monday

Despite a brave display, the Super Falcons failed to reach the final for only the third time in the competition’s history. It was quite a sad day for the nine times champions as Atlas Lionesses of Morocco dug deep to qualify for the final with Nigeria having two players sent off in Rabat on Monday night.

With the score stalemated at 1-1 after 120 minutes, the North African were better from the spot as they edged past the reigning African champions and are slated to face South Africa’s Bayana Bayana in the final encounter on Friday.

In the keenly contested encounter played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the Atlas Lionesses began the game on a rampaging note – dominating ball possession as the Super Falcons were made to defend stoutly.

The North Africans had the first chance at goal, but Ghizlane Chhiri headed Ghizlane Chebbak’s cross over the bar. On the other hand, Ngozi Okobi profited from a nice pass from Halimatu Ayinde but shot wide.

Twelve minutes into the game, Okobi set up Ifeoma Onumonu, but before the Gotham FC star could pull the trigger from close range, the ball was cleared away by Levante star Yasmin Mrabet.

Three minutes later, Onumonu had another opportunity to give Randy Waldrum’s side the lead, this time Nesryne El Chad was well positioned to prevent her from wreaking havoc.

Notwithstanding the Moroccans’ dominance in the middle, the West Africans fluffed numerous goalscoring opportunities. First, Uchenna Kanu headed Rasheedat Ajibade’s cross wide before Okobi miskicked a free-kick near the hosts’ goal area.

Three minutes before the halftime break, Nigeria had a penalty appeal waved off by referee Maria Rivet after Ajibade was fouled in the box by Hanane El-Haj.

In the second half, Reynald Pedros’s side continued from where they left things in the first 45 minutes, while the Falcons were reduced to ten players after enterprising Ayinde was given the marching orders for a dangerous tackle on Rosella Ayane.

The Atlas Lionesses almost took advantage of the Nigerians’ numerical disadvantage with Ashleigh Plumptre forced to make a timely goal-line clearance after Onome Ebi’s shot was diverted towards her own net.

Waldrum’s side took the lead two minutes after the hour mark courtesy of Mrabet’s own goal. Onumonu’s header from Ajibade’s cross had hit the crossbar before the 22-year-old bundled Kanu’s rebound past goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi.

That lead lasted for four minutes as Sanaa Mssoudy restored parity for the home team. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie’s save from Annie fell in the path of the ASFAR forward, who slotted the ball inside an empty net.

Things got worse for Nigeria after they were reduced to nine players following Ajibade’s foul on Zineb Redouani. From that point on, the Moroccans completely dominated play but their major undoing was failing to convert the several begging opportunities that came their way coupled with the brilliance of Keeper Nnadozie.

With nothing to separate both teams after extra time, kicks from the penalty spot were used to determine the finalist. During the ensuing kicks, Morocco reigned supreme as Onumonu missed the only kick of the shootout as her shot was saved by Er-Rmichi.

Morocco will now face South Africa in the final with both teams looking to clinch the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title for the first time – With Goal.com report