Sports

WAFCON 2022: Champions Nigeria Lose To South Africa In Group C Clash

Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Monday evening began the defense of their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title on a disappointing note with a 2-1 defeat to archrivals South Africa.

The WAFCON 2022 Group C opening game at the Stade Moulay Al Hassan Stadium, Rabat failed to sparkle in the first half as it ended goalless.

The South Africans enjoyed about 60% of the ball possessions in the opening stages of the game.

Asisat Oshoala who was a shadow of her old predatory best was left isolated for most parts of the game and had only real genuine chance to put the nine-time African champions into the lead when her 49th left footed shot was gathered by Andile Dlamani.

The Bayana Bayana then grabbed two quick goals in the second half through the duo of Nicole Cesane and Jermaine Seoposenwe.

Rasheedat Ajibade however got a consolation for the Falcons deep into the added time but it was a short period of time to anticipate an unlikely fightback.

The Falcons will face debutants Botswana on Thursday in a game they must win to stand a chance of advancing in the tournament.

The semifinalists of the WAFCON will qualify automatically for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand while the fifth placed side will take part in an intercontinental playoffs.

Izuchukwu Okosi

Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc. In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio. He worked there for 13 years until October 2017. Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch. He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations. Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line. Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.