Super Falcons Goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie Blames Poor Officiating, Despite Winning The Woman Of The Match Award In The Defeat Against Morocco.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria crashed out of the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations after losing to the host nation, Atlas lioness of the Morocco in a penalty shoot out.
Nigerian Female team who are the reigning champion went head to head with their counterpart Morocco in a fierce Semi final match up on Monday night in Rabat.
Falcons had the most of the chance in the first half but failed to convert all 6 Goal attempts.
Despite Super Falcons dominating the half, The first 45 minutes ended in a stalemate with no breakthrough from both sides.
The second half took a new turn when Nigeria Midfielder, Halimatu Ayinde received a red card, She was sent off after a VAR review in the 48th minute by Mauritian referee Maria Rivet.
With 10 players Nigeria took the lead in the 62nd minutes when Uchenna Kanu forced Yasmin Mrabet to an Own Goal. However the lead was short-lived when Sanaa Mssoudy equalized for the Atlas Lioness.
The Super falcons was futher reduced to 9 players when Rashidat Ajibade was sent off in the 71st minutes, and played the remaining minutes and extra time with 9 players.
They almost got the lead when Gift Monday thunderous striker hit the Crossbar in the second half of the extra time which led the match to Extra time.
Super Falcons eventually lost 5-4 on penalties with Ifeoma Onumonu failing to convert her spot kick while Atlas Lionesses successfully converted all theirs to win the match.
She pulled off some stunning saves! 🧤#TeamNigeria’s goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie is named the TotalEnergies Woman of the Match against Morocco! 🤩#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 | #EmpoweringOurGame | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/aTmsPDSqw2
— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 19, 2022
Meanwhile, Nigerian goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie won the Woman of the Match award following her stunning saves in the penalty shootout defeat to Morocco.
Nnadozie, who plays in the French Ligue for Paris FC, made a number of superb saves to keep the Super Falcons who played 23 minutes of the game with 10 women and 50 minutes with 9 women in the game.
The goalkeeper was, however, unable to make any save during the penalty shootout despite coming close three times.
"The whole Moroccan team know that Nigeria is a great team, so to beat us they had to distract us... Said Nnadozie who was disconsolate after the game, and blamed poor officiating for their elimination.
"They did everything they did just to distract us. Since I have been playing football, this is the worst match I have ever played in my life.
"They won but this is not winning for me. The officiating was not really okay. If they were good enough, we were nine players against 11, they would have scored and won. That is to show you how great we are."
Former college and NWSL coach Randy Waldrum gave a testy response to media who challenged his substitution choices: "I'm not going to get into that.
"I'll say our substitutions were spot on and we can’t ask for more from the players, they gave their best.
"We wanted to win the game, not just the World Cup ticket.”
The American tactician also shared his thoughts on the officiating in the game.
“We (Coaches) can’t comment on officiating, we will get into trouble.
“We were in control of the game until after the first red card, then the second red card, I will put it this way,” he said.
The Nigerian girls will now battle Zambia for bronze medal on Friday at the Stade Mohammed V.
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