Super Falcons depleted to nine players in the greater part of second half and extra time. Monday Gift's shot hit the upper woodwork in the dying minute, saw the defending Champions show incredible resilience, but had to bow 4 - 5 in penalty shoot out.
Nigerian fans were so proud of Super Falcons for their bravery in the Women Africa Cup of Nations semi-final loss to Morocco on Monday night.
The Nigerian ladies had the game in full control and even took the lead in the 48 minute of the game by Uchenna Kanu, but a dramatic turn of events saw Halimat Ayinde shown red card and the host took advantage to equalise 1 - 1. While the Nigerian team were trying to rearrange their game plan another red card was shown to Rasheedat Ajibade in the 71 minute.
With Super Falcons loosing two key players, came under massive attack by the Atlas lionesses, but the defending champions would not bow and took the game to extra time. At the 99th minute Monday Gift hit the upper woodwork. Indeed, it was a night that wasn't going to be for the Nigerians.
The hosts had a massive advantage to win the game in either regulation time or extra time after the West Africans were reduced to nine players owing to red cards shown to Halimat Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade.
However, the Falcons battled to a 1-1 draw after extra time, but the North Africans still advanced after a 5-4 win in the resultant penalty shootout.
Leading the line of reactions is a former Super Falcons coach himself, Kadiri Ikhana.
Former Falcons coach Kadiri Ikhana said he was quite excited with the spirited display by the Super Falcons not just against Morocco but in the whole 2022 tournament
A former CAF Coach of the Year recipient, Ikhana said it shocked him the Nigeria Ladies could hold on for almost an hour despite having two key players, Halimatu Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade, sent off.
The former Enyimba coach lauded coach Randy Waldrum for his technical input in the women’s team since he took over the reign as Super Falcons manager, adding that Nigeria will be a team to watch at FIFA Women World Cup.
“We have a great team, honestly. It shocked me they could hold on with two players short. The girls did wonderfully well apart from those two mistakes.
“They ought to understand that they are up against the host nation and the centre referee. Kudos to them.
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer, Alloy Agu, also lauded the players for their effort and urged them to learn from their mistakes as they press forward.
“I commend the girls and their coaching crew. It is not easy to hold on with nine players. All they need to do is learn from their mistakes and move on. We are very proud of them,” he said.
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According to the NFF President Amaju Pinnick, the players should be commended for their display despite the numerical disadvantage.
"Of course, we would have been happy to be in the final and chase a 10th title," Pinnick said as quoted by our correspondence.
"But I am happy with the performance of the team and the way and manner they approached the game despite all sorts of setbacks and intimidation.
"To play 50 minutes of a game with only nine players is not an easy task. The Super Falcons gave their all and were truly fabulous.
"They had the 'Nigeria spirit' in them and showed a sense of patriotism, were dogged and refused to give up. Penalties are forever a lottery, so it could have gone either way. I commend the team for the outing."
The also commented on the issue of laser lights that were flashed on the Nigeria players during the shootout.
He has, however, pointed out the team will be preparing well for the World Cup in 2023.
"Our girls did a massive job on a night they were not only depleted but challenged by laser lights trained on their eyes by the crowd," Pinnick added.
"I am enamored by their resilience and tenacity. The next step now is for the Federation to do everything possible to prepare the team adequately for the FIFA World Cup finals coming up next year."
Nigeria will now play Zambia in the third-place playoff as Morocco and South Africa battle for the title.
