Despite the Super Falcons losing their final match of the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations on Monday night, Chiamaka Nnadozie was named Woman of the Match for her outstanding performance.
The Super Falcons gave a valiant effort despite losing to the Atlas Lionesses in a penalty shootout 5-4 despite playing the majority of the game with nine players.
Nnadozie, a goalkeeper for Paris FC in the French Ligue, made a number of outstanding saves to keep the Super Falcons in the contest.
However, despite coming close three times, the goalkeeper was unable to make any saves during the penalty shootout.
Three minutes after the break, Halimat Ayinde, a defensive midfielder, was dismissed for an unsportsmanlike tackle on an opponent.
However, Yasmin Mirabet’s own goal gave the Super Falcons the lead a minute after the hour mark.
The advantage only lasted four minutes before the Atlas Lionesses’ Sanna Mssoudy equalised.
When Rasheedat Ajibade received a red card in the 70th minute, the Super Falcons were even more depleted.
In the shootout, Ifeoma Onumonu’s missed opportunity cost Randy Waldrum’s team the victory.
For the bronze medal, the Nigerian girls will now compete against Zambia.