Super Falcons beat Ivory Coast 1-0, qualify for women’s AFCON

Sodiq Oyeleke
23 February 2022

Nigeria reached the finals of this year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations Championship after the Super Falcons held out bravely to defeat hosts Lady Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire 1-0 in Abidjan on Wednesday evening. The scoreline meant an aggregate 3-0 win for the nine-time African champions.

The Ivorians threw everything into the return leg encounter at the Stade Robert Champroux but met a steely Nigerian defence and an inspired goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie who would not give an inch.

The game flowed back and forth for large swathes of the first half. Coach Randy Waldrum made two changes to the starting line-up from the first leg, bringing in midfielder Regina Otu and forward Francisca Ordega.

The lively Ordega thought she had given Nigeria the lead halfway into the first period, but the Nigerien referee ruled it out.

In the 34th minute, Nigerien referee Zouwaira Souley awarded a penalty to the homers after judging that Ashleigh Plumptre had tripped an Ivorian striker in the Nigerian area. Goalkeeper Nnadozie saved the shot, and the contact from the same player off the rebound went into side-netting.

The Super Falcons dug their feet into the ground in the second half, refusing to give the Lady Elephants any leeway. Plumptre, Captain Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie all held their ground as the Elephants increased their onslaughts.

A minute to the end, Esther Okoronkwo, winning only her second cap for Nigeria, scored the back-breaker that confirmed a 3-0 aggregate win for the Super Falcons.

Victory and qualification for Morocco 2022 was sweet revenge over the Lady Elephants, who bumped the Falcons on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Dem Correct babes dem
UP SUPER FALCONS OF NIGERIA.

However, the Ivorian Federation only showed the pre-match formalities and occasions when it seemed like the Ivorians would score. They cut the feed or showed the crowd anytime the Super Falcons had the ball.

paulolee:
always dominating African, wish dey can also conquer d world in this manner

saphiere:
The FUTURE is FEMALE

naptu2:
The Ivorian national broadcaster, Radio Television Ivoirienne (RTI) did not show the match live and so people had to depend on the live stream from the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (FIF) Facebook page. However, the Ivorian Federation only showed the pre-match formalities and occasions when it seemed like the Ivorians would score. They cut the feed or showed the crowd anytime the Super Falcons had the ball.

BigDawsNet:
Abi we should use them against Ghana Worldcup playoff

gracealonev:
Falcons are more reliable than the Eagles.

Good one there.

naptu2:
The Ivorian national broadcaster, Radio Television Ivoirienne (RTI) did not show the match live and so people had to depend on the live stream from the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (FIF) Facebook page. However, the Ivorian Federation only showed the pre-match formalities and occasions when it seemed like the Ivorians would score. They cut the feed or showed the crowd anytime the Super Falcons had the ball.

(I firmly believe that the Falcons would have beaten the Ivorians in the Olympic qualifiers if the NFF had not blacklisted the captain [Oparanozie] and quarrelled with the coach)

Here's a video of the Ivorian penalty which Chiamaka Nnadozie saved.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=356i1h2xOro


Here's a video of the Super Falcons singing the Nigerian National Anthem with the Supporters Club after the match.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqChht8rnR0



Here's a video of the players and fans hailing Ashleigh Plumptre after the match.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ne9uZWovEM


And here's an interview with Chiamaka Nnadozie. She talks about the Ivorian penalty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AREYY9sKhA0

naptu2:
The Ivorian national broadcaster, Radio Television Ivoirienne (RTI) did not show the match live and so people had to depend on the live stream from the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (FIF) Facebook page. However, the Ivorian Federation only showed the pre-match formalities and occasions when it seemed like the Ivorians would score. They cut the feed or showed the crowd anytime the Super Falcons had the ball.

(I firmly believe that the Falcons would have beaten the Ivorians in the Olympic qualifiers if the NFF had not blacklisted the captain [Oparanozie] and quarrelled with the coach)

Here's a video of the Ivorian penalty which Chiamaka Nnadozie saved.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=356i1h2xOro


Here's a video of the Super Falcons singing the Nigerian National Anthem with the Supporters Club after the match.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqChht8rnR0



Here's a video of the players and fans hailing Ashleigh Plumptre after the match.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ne9uZWovEM


And here's an interview with Chiamaka Nnadozie. She talks about the Ivorian penalty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AREYY9sKhA0