By Akinwale Kasali
After 120 minutes of a tension-soaked encounter between the Super Falcons of Nigeria and the Atlas Lioness of Morocco in the semi finals of the ongoing Women’s African Cup of Nations Championship, host, Morocco defeated the Nigerian team 5-4 on penalties to book a place in the final.
The Nigerian Ladies played over an hour of the pulsating encounter with nine players after Halimat Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade were red carded for dangerous tackles on their opponents.
The Coach Randy Waldrum team had taken the lead via a goal mouth scramble that resulted in an own goal, before Safine Mssoudy restored parity for the host nation.
Super Falcons showed character, resilience and determination despite being two players down to further showcase their position as the top ranked team in the continent.
Nigeria forced the game into penalties after 120 minutes of action.
United States of America based Nigerian striker, Ifeoma Onumnomu, was the only Nigerian that lost her penalty kick, as the quartet of Regina Otu, Monday Gift, Ashleigh Plumptre and Rita Chikwelu converted their spot kicks for Nigeria, while the Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie failed to save any of the Moroccan spot kick.
With Victory, Morocco will face the Bayana Bayana of South Africa which defeated the Zambian Ladies 1-0 in the first semi final.
Nigeri will face Zambia in the third place playoff scheduled for Friday. Nigeria is the defending champion.
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