BY: Osabuohien Imuetinyanosa
Super Falcons Soar to 10th WAFCON Glory
Nigeria’s band of fans rejoice wildly. Their players return to their feet to begin the party.
Morocco and the home nation fans are stunned after a cruel defeat.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons with an unbelievable comeback to secure a dramatic impossibility of 3–2 victory over Morocco in the long awaited final clash.
Morocco’s early lead made a chaotic and frustrating first half for Nigeria after Ghizlane Chebbak in the 12th minute launched in the leading goal and in another 24minutes Sanaâ Mssoudy found the back of the net.
Nigeria on the other hand reacted accurately to the dreadful 2-0 lead with resilience, power, decisiveness and brilliance mostly from Esther Okoronkwo who in the 64th minute from the penalty spot rocketed the equalizer to turn the scoreline around making the Moroccan’s goal keeper dive the wrong way and the ball went in the opposite side.
Still in the intensity of the match, in the 71st minute, Esther Okoronkwo’s skills, force and power were unmatched following her manly handling of the ball and again with a smooth pass to Folashade Florence Ijamilusi who didn’t afford to make the pass a waste but converted it too well to level the scoreline mashing another goal for an equalizer.
Morocco coach Jorge Vila responds to that equaliser by making two substitutions, perhaps looking to give his side more energy and pace in midfield.
Furthermore still through Esther Okoronkwo’s free kick in the 88th minute Jennifer Echegini did well too not not waste the free kick but had it converted, with a rocketing sliding shot into the back of the morrocan’ net which decided the end of the tussle.
Moroccan side were tough through out the tournament but Nigeria were tougher and stronger in most of the match statistics, recording 14 shots against Morocco’s 10, with five on target. The Super Falcons retained 55% possession, 280 passes completed with a 69% accuracy rate, Nigeria committed seven fouls against moroccan’s 12 and five corners against three from the Moroccans.
The match could be evidently decided fair without yellow or red cards issued.
Other outstanding players in the tournament include :
Ibtissam Jraidi: top player for Morocco, her decisiveness, individual brilliance and contribution were immeasurable to the team’s success.
Fatima Tagnaout: who was so dangerous that every moment she mounts pressure on her opponent, is either the opponent looses control or she scores or assist at any given time.
