LCFC Women defender Ashleigh Plumptre started for Nigeria on Monday night as they were beaten on penalties by Morocco in the semi-finals of the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
- Ashleigh Plumptre started for Nigeria in Monday's CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals
- The Super Falcons were beaten on penalties by Morocco at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
- LCFC Women's Plumptre defended valiantly as her team were reduced to nine players
- She also netted her penalty in a 5-4 shootout defeat in the last-four tie
After finishing second in Group C, with victories over Botswana and Burundi, the Super Falcons emerged past Cameroon in the last-eight to set up a semi-finals tie with Morocco. A large crowd greeted them at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat for the occasion on Monday.
At the start of the second half, following a tense opening 45 minutes, Nigeria suffered a blow when Halimatu Ayinde was dismissed after a VAR check. Moments later, when Onome Ebi inadvertently hit her own post, Plumptre had to be alert to make an integral goal-line clearance.
Despite being a player down, Uchenna Kanu forced Yasmin Mrabet into an own goal on 62 minutes, putting Nigeria ahead. However, after making an initial save, there was nothing Chiamaka Nnadozie could do to prevent Sanaâ Mssoudy from levelling for Morocco just four minutes later.
Ayinde was then sent off too, leaving Plumptre and her team-mates with only nine players on the field, but they were able to hold out against the odds not only until full-time, but through a spell of extra-time too. Although Plumptre netted her spot-kick, Rosella Ayane's sealed a 5-4 victory for Morocco.
