The Nigerian female national team fell on penalties to the Moroccans despite putting up a memorable performance in Rabat
Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has hailed the Super Falcons as the best team on planet Earth following the team’s semifinal defeat to Morocco on Monday night.
Despite the Falcons playing a significant portion of the encounter with only nine women, the 2018 champions showed remarkable strength and willpower to force the match into extra time and penalties.
The Atlas Lionesses advanced to their first-ever WAFCON final after triumphing 5-4 on penalties (full-time scores: 1-1).
But it was the Super Falcons who won the admiration of countless fans and watchers of the game.
Paris FC goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie was named the woman of the match after her stunning saves kept Nigeria in the tie. But the 21-year-old was in tears as she received her award and attended the post-match rituals.
And on Tuesday morning, with her wits and composure back, Nnadozie found consolation in the Falcons’ battling display. And, writing on her official Twitter page, the youngster called the Super Falcons ‘the best team in the world’.
BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD 🇳🇬🦅❤️ pic.twitter.com/VzC8P2qASH
— Nnadozie chiamaka (@Nadoziechiamaka) July 19, 2022
Meanwhile, a few other Super Falcons stars have reacted to the team’s crushing semifinal defeat to Morocco.
Veteran defender Onome Ebi has expressed her delight at representing Nigeria alongside teammates who made their country folks proud.
“All I have to say to this amazing team is that I am super proud of us all. We lost the game but we fought till the end against all odds. Super Falcons, we remain unstoppable. Thank you all for standing with us. We keep going stronger.”
https://twitter.com/EBIONOME/status/1549326992511836160
2018 Wafcon winner Desire Oparanozie, who did not make the squad to the tournament, has also praised the girls for displaying the ‘Naija spirit’.
“True definition of the Naija spirit. You gave and left everything out there on the pitch, against all odds. I couldn’t be more proud of this team.”
True definition of the naija spirit. You gave and left everything out there on the pitch, against all odds. I couldn't be more proud of this team #TheSuperFalcons
— oparanozie desire (@oparanozie9) July 18, 2022
Striker Gift Monday, whose 111th-minute strike cannoned off the crossbar when it looked like it could decide the tie, has also expressed her disappointment with the result.
— Gift Monday (@GiftMonday21) July 19, 2022
I wished this was Goal 🥅 ⚽️ 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️Forget ham Super Falcons go Beat Man-U blue black. pic.twitter.com/4TL3TsKowp
— 🥰SAM🥰 (@Blezmotors) July 18, 2022
The Super Falcons have already qualified for next year’s FIFA World Cup. The nine-time continental champions will take to the pitch against Zambia on Friday to battle for the 2022 Wafcon bronze medal.
