The Super Falcons for the first time in so many years will not play in the finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
A resilient and resolute 9 women’s Super Falcons stood for over an hour to remain in the game only to be undone by a penalty shoot-out.
Here are 5 takeaways from the Falcons’ first loss in the semifinals since 2008.
1. VARversial
The VAR was introduced to reduce controversies in the game. But recently it has inflated the rate of controversies in the game. In yesterday’s game where the VAR was used twice to dish out red cards to Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimatu Ayinde, the VAR did not interfere in the stamp on Ohale and in Ifeoma Onumunu’s penalty that was saved as replays have suggested the Moroccan goalkeeper had both feet off the line.
These two situations could have changed the outcome of the game just as they did with the calls on the red card.
2. Waldrum is jittery
Randy Waldrum showed jitteriness yesterday. He also showed that he has not had so much knowledge of the players at his disposal.
Monday Gift could have been thrown on much earlier, Ifeoma Onumunu was jaded but finished the game. Peace Efih is younger and more energetic hence she should have been brought on ahead of Rita Chikwelu.
Onumunu had no business taking the second penalty, her legs were gone, all these show how jittery Waldrum is.
3. The next Perpetual Nwokocha
Gift Monday came on and showed her arsenal. Rattled the crossbar with a thunderbolt late on.
Her quick feet, pace, skills, and ball control caused the Moroccan defense lots of fear. She could have been the match winner on the night but she is definitely the future.
4. Patriotism
The squad has a lot of foreign-born and foreign-raised players but yesterday they showed their level of patriotism.
They played with the lives and stood firm. With the level of patriotism exhibited yesterday, a knowledge coach is all that is needed to make the Super Falcons, super again.
5. Double bronze
The Super Falcons only won bronze at the WAFCON once in 2008. This will be the second time since the tournament began that the Super Falcons will play in the third place play-off.
A Zambian team that feels cheated also, awaits in the third place fixture on Friday.
It would indeed be a golden bronze for the girls if they eventually win it.
