By David Kabiyesi
Nigeria’s female national team, the Super Falcons began their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign on a good note after playing a goalless draw against a highly-ranked Canadian side in Melbourne in the early hours of Friday, iwitnesslive.com can report.
The first 45 minutes started with Nigeria chasing the game as the Canadians got on the driving seat, but Super Falcon’s defensive duo of Osinachi Ohale and Dimeyin did a yeoman’s job to keep Canadian strikers at bay.
Nigeria’s best chance came in the 18th minute after Anumonu’s curling shot was parried to the corner by goalkeeper Sheridan.
Nigeria would have been up by a goal five minutes later after Plumptre’s well-tailored pass was floated to Oshoala who dummies goalkeeper Sheridan, but Oshoala’s failure to keep her composure saw her chip a pass into the box from a tight angle, but her pass was cleared by Canada rearguard as the first half ended goalless.
Canada took over from where they left it as the second half got underway. The Olympics champions were presented with the open chance to go up after Nigeria conceded a penalty in the 50th minute, but Nadozie kept Nigeria in the game with her world-class save to deny Cristine Sinclair a goal
It was a dig-dong affair afterward as Super Falcons held on to pick their first points in the tournament, but it came with a huge price after Deborah Abiodun picked a straight red in the 98th minute of the match.
Nigeria faces Ireland in their next game.
