Morocco Edge Gallant Super Falcons On Penalties, Clinch First Ever Final Ticket

Hosts Morocco have qualified for a first ever WAFCON final after edging champions Super Falcons of Nigeria on penalties in Monday’s semi-final.

Despite playing with nine players from the second half and both halves of extra-time following the sending off of Rasheedat Ajibade Halimotu Ayinde, the Moroccans could not breakdown a resilient Falcons.

And after regulation time ended 1-1 Morocco eventually triumphed 5-4 on penalties with Ifeoma Onumonu missing her spot kick.

The Falcons will now face Zambia in the third-placed match on Friday while Morocco will battle South Africa in the final on Saturday.

From the blast of the whistle Morocco went in search of an early goal but the Falcons thwarted their efforts.

And after surviving the first 15 minutes the Falcons took charge of the game and started chances of their own.

The Falcons had their first attempt on goal in the 25th minute but Uchenna Kanu’s header from a cross from Rasheedat Ajibade was well claimed by the Moroccan keeper.

In the 32nd minute the Falcons were awarded a free-kick in a good area but Ngozi Okobi’s attempt went way over the bar.

The Falcons should have punished the Morocco on 35 minutes after a poor pass in the hosts defence but Christy Ucheibe’s attempt from aside with the keeper off her lines went wide.

Just three minutes into the second half the Falcons were reduced to 10 players following Ayinde’s sending off after VAR review.

But it was the Falcons who took the lead on 62 minutes off an own goal by Yasmin Mrabet.

But in the 66th minute Sanaa Mssoudy equalized for Morocco as she pounced on a rebound after Chiamaka Nnadozie failed to hold on to a low cross from the right.

With both teams failing to find the winner the game went into extra-time and was eventually decided on penalties.

By James Agberebi

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