Super Falcons midfielder Esther Okoronkwo has blamed Nigeria’s shock defeat to Malawi on a sluggish start and a controversial penalty decision that went against the defending champions.
Nigeria suffered a 3-2 defeat to the WAFCON debutants in Tuesday’s Group C opener despite entering the match as overwhelming favourites.
The Super Falcons struggled to contain Malawi’s Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, who punished Nigeria’s defensive lapses.
Temwa scored twice, while Tabitha grabbed Malawi’s third goal. Rasheedat Ajibade and substitute Uchenna Kanu found the net for Nigeria, but their goals could not rescue the Falcons.
Speaking after the match, Okoronkwo admitted that Nigeria failed to begin the contest with the required intensity.
“Next game, we have to come back better. In this game, we came out a little flat,” she said.
“We have to go back, learn our lesson, identify where we need to improve and come back better in the next game.”
Okoronkwo also questioned the referee’s failure to award Nigeria a penalty after she was brought down inside the box.
“I don’t know what the referee saw, but I think it should have been looked at,” she said.
Despite her frustration, the midfielder refused to dwell on the decision or use it as an excuse for the defeat.
“It is what it is. I didn’t get it, so I won’t talk about it or complain about it,” Okoronkwo added.
