The Super Falcons Suffers Worst Outing In WAFCON History, After Failing To Defeat Zambia For The Bronze Medal. (WATCH HIGHLIGHTS)
Following the defeat to Bruce Mwape's women in Casablanca, the Nigeria Super Falcons recorded their worst outing in WAFCON history.
19-year-old Evarine Katongo's first-half effort helped Zambia upset Nigeria to win the third-place match of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, and the Super Falcons paid for their carelessness at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca on Friday night.
Coach Randy Waldrum's team gave it their all against the Southern Africans to regain some pride because they were still hurt from their controversial semi-final loss to the host nation Morocco.
With that as fuel, they took control of the game as soon as Togolese whistler Vincentia Amedome blew the kick-off.
The reigning African champions had their first opportunity two minutes into the low-scoring game, but Ifeoma Onumonu missed from close range after being set up by skipper Ngozi Okobi.
After Xiomala Mapepa fired a cross into Nigeria's goal area five minutes later, the Copper Queens were within five yards of scoring, but Ashleigh Plumptre successfully cleared the ball.
The Super Falcons dominated the first quarter and had multiple scoring opportunities, but they were unable to capitalize on them.
During the 22nd minute, Francesca Ordega outran Martha Tembo and set up Okobi for a long-range shot, but Hazel Nali was able to stop it.
On the other hand, Chiamaka Nnadozie, the goalie, made a spectacular save to stop Mapepa from scoring.
Nigeria suffered for their egregious errors two minutes before the half-hour mark when ZISD Queens midfielder Katongo gave Bruce Mwape's team the lead in the 28th minute, but could also be considered as an own goal by goalkeeper Nnadozie Chiamaka.
Tembo sped by Michelle Alozie and through the right side of Nigeria's defense to deliver the ball into the goal area. Katongo fired a long-range shot that ricocheted off the crossbar and into the goal as a result of Christy Ucheibe's failure to clear the ball.
That objective served as a wake-up call for Waldrum's women, but they were unable to achieve parity.
After a one-two with Okobi, Gift Monday had a perfect chance to tie the score for Nigeria two minutes into the second half, but she missed the target with a close-range attempt.
To the dismay of the Nigerian supporters, Monday was once more to blame for wasting another sitter.
The nine-times were unable to break into Zambia's defense despite Coach Waldrum's substitutions, and they fell short of finishing third.
For the first time in the competitions history, the Super Falcons are not placed in the top three, while the Copper Queens earned their first medal since 1995, when they made their debut.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS!
📹 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: 🇳🇬 0-1 🇿🇲
— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 22, 2022
Historical night for #TeamZambia as they bag the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 3rd place vs. #TeamNigeria! #EmpoweringOurGame | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/7YxcL6ozBY
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