Nnadozie Suspended From Falcons’ WAFCON 2022 First Match

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will be without their first-choice goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie for Monday’s opening Group C game against South Africa at the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.

Nnadozie is suspended after receiving yellow cards in different matches in the qualifiers against Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

With her exclusion, Israel-based Tochukwu Oluehi is likely to start between the sticks for the Falcons against the Banyana Banyana tonight.

Nnadozie played a key role in helping the Falcons qualify for their 12th tournament, especially in the reverse fixture in the final qualifiers against Ivory Coast in Abidjan.

A brilliant penalty saves by Nnadozie at the Stade Robert Champroux fired the Falcons through to Morocco.

The Falcons defeated the Ivoirians 2-0 in Abuja in the first leg, but the Elephants had a chance to get back into the game in the 34th minute of the reverse fixture, after defender Ashleigh Plumptre was adjudged to have tripped an Ivoirian striker in the Nigerian area, with the referee pointing to the penalty spot.

Nnadozie saved the penalty and the rebound off the same player went into the side-netting.

The Ivoirians launched a late onslaught on the Falcons but met a steely Nigerian defense, before Esther Okoronkwo’s 87th-minute strike all but sealed qualification with a 3-0 aggregate win