Super Falcons goaltender, Chiamaka Nnadozie was the hero of her side in 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup opener against Almighty Canada female team played on Friday at Melbourne, in Australia.
Both team shared the spoils in their tight Group B opener in Melbourne, with the two captains involved in the game’s pivotal moment.
The Super Falcons were reduced to ten players after Deborah Abiodun was given a straight red card following a rough tackle on a Canadian in the 89th minute.
After a goalless opening half, Canada were awarded a penalty shortly after the break. Their captain, Christine Sinclair, stepped up to the spot but was thwarted by a superb stop low to her left by the Super Falcons skipper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
With Melbourne Rectangular Stadium bathed in early afternoon sunshine, a tight first half saw Canada shade possession but the best of the chances fall Nigeria’s way.
Ifeoma Onumonu had an effort parried wide by Kailen Sheridan midway through the half before a vital intervention from Vanessa Gilles kept Asisat Oshoala’s goal-bound effort out after a missed clearance from Sheridan.
In a statement @NGSuper_Falcons stated that “We made a brave start to our ninth campaign on the global stage with a draw against the Olympics champions despite finishing the encounter with 10 players in Melbourne.”
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