Published on : 19/07/2022 – 00:48Modified : 19/07/2022 – 02:12
The Moroccan team will face South Africa in the final of the Women’s African Cup of Nations (CAN 2022) on July 23 in Rabat. A great first for Moroccan women. The Atlas Lionesses brought down 5 shots on goal to 4 (1-1 after extra time) the Nigerians, three reigning African champions, Monday July 18 in the semi-finals of CAN 2022. Super Falcons reduced to nine against eleven in the second half.
Morocco will play the first final of the African Women’s Cup of Nations in its history, on July 23, 2022 in Rabat. The Moroccans will face the South Africans on Saturday in front of their home crowd, while football fans were expecting a reunion between South Africa and Nigeria – three-time defending champion and winner of 11 of the 13 previous CANs.
But the support of more than 45,000 spectators, and two faults relentlessly spotted by the video assistance to arbitration (VAR), got the better of the reign of the Nigerians, Monday, July 18 in Rabat.
Two Nigerians excluded
After a rather balanced first period, everything accelerated in the second. Just after the break, midfielder Halimatu Ayinde was indeed excluded for a sole on striker Rosella Ayane (48th). In the 71st, it was winger Rasheedat Ajibade who in turn was sent back to the locker room for a sole, this time on defender Zineb Redouani. This after a new recourse to the VAR.
Meanwhile, the Nigerians, abused but revolted, had opened the scoring thanks to an own goal from Yassin Mrabet (62nd), the defender having involuntarily countered a clearance. But the Lionesses quickly equalized after a hazardous outing by opposing goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The latter returned the ball to winger Sanaa Mssoudy who only had to equalize closely (66th).
Vain resistance
Reduced to 9 against 11, the Super Falcons then lost their captain, Onome Ebi, perhaps affected in the adductors (replaced by Michelle Alozie, 77e). Despite all these twists of fate and the asphyxiating pressure exerted by Morocco, Nigeria held on, including in extra time. He dragged the host team into a haphazard penalty shootout. Exercise in which all Moroccan women have excelled, unlike the Nigerian Ifeoma Onumonu.
The West Africans are eliminated and will play a tasteless match for third place against the Zambians.
CAN 2022 women: calendar, rankings and results