Atlas Lionesses devour Falcons as Morocco dumps Nigeria out of 2022 WAFCON 

By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist (Since 1990)

The dream of Nigeria to win the 10th CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) trophy has evaporated like early morning dew as the defending champions have been bundled out of the on-going competition by hosts, Morocco after a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat at

Complexe Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on Monday night.

The epic match had ended in a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of dramatic football action hence it was decided by penalty shoot-out with Morocco carrying the day in front of 45, 562 spectators who cheered them on.

This is even as the Atlas Lionesses have by this victory over a 9-woman Super Falcons qualified for the final of the competition where they will meet the Banyana Banyana of South Africa, winners of the first semi-final match against Zambia on Monday.

The thrilling encounter which saw two Nigerian players, Halimat Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade sent of by the center referee for dangerous play was a big chance by the Moroccans to avenge a 24 year 8-0 humiliation by Nigeria in the opening match of the first WAFCON tournament in 1998 in Nigeria.

Indeed, it was a game the 9-time African champions put up a brave fight but failed to make it to the final of the competition courtesy of the loss of two influential players Ayinde in the 48 minute of the match and Rasheedat Ajibade later in the game.

Despite the set back, the Nigerians still took the lead a minute after the hour mark when Morocco defender, Yasmin Mrabet scrambled the ball home under pressure from Super Falcons forward Uchenna Kanu to score own goal.

But the lead lasted just four minutes with Sanna Mssoudy netting the equalizer for the Atlas Lionesses following a mix-up in the Nigerian defence which failed to clear the ball after goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnnadozie punched the ball out of danger the first time.

In spite of the numerical disadvantage, the Super Falcons held on for the remainder of the game to drag the match into the lottery of penalty shootout as Morocco converted all five kicks, while Ifeoma Onumonu missed for Nigeria and the West Africans failed to qualify for the final on Saturday.