The Nigeria national women’s team lost 1-0 to their Zambian counterparts Friday night in the match for the bronze medal at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Having failed to make it to the final, the Super Falcons and
Shepolopolo needed the bronze medal match as some form of consolation.
However, even though it was the Nigerian ladies that
dominated play at the Complexe Mohamed V in Casablanca, a fortuitous strike
just before the half-hour mark by Evarine Katongo was helped into the net by
Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Katongo, 19, was later voted Woman-of-the-Match as her
contribution helped Zambia to their first ever win over Nigeria.
The Super Falcons did have a series of chances to pull level
but they were let down by their poor finishing and good goalkeeping on the part
of the Zambians.
The development saw the Falcons slump to their third defeat
in Morocco following earlier losses against South Africa and then Morocco.
Gift Monday, Ashleigh Plupmtre, and Ngozi Okobi among others
all had decent chances they did not convert.
The only time before now that the Super Falcons finished
fourth on the continent was 20 years ago when they were beaten 1-0 by Cameroon
in the third place match of the 2012 edition.
The Super Falcons really missed the duo of Rasheedat Ajibade
and Halimat Ayinde – who were suspended for Friday’s game – and Captain Onome
Ebi who is out injured.
Many would also finger the off-the-pitch distractions for
the Super Falcons’ poor show as they only trained once for the Zambia game
having been protesting unpaid allowances.
While Friday’s outing was a nightmare for the Super Falcons
who are nine-time African champions and are playing in their 14th WAFCON
tournament, it is one to remember for the Zambians for whom Morocco 2022 is
their fourth appearance.
The Shepolopolo have qualified for their first World Cup and
also won their first WAFCON medal.
The final match for the 2022 WAFCON will take place in Rabat
on Saturday between hosts Morocco and South Africa.
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