Super Falcons held Canada Women’s National Team to a barren draw on Friday in their group opener.
The North Americans dominated most of the encounter, but were unlucky not to have claimed all three points thanks to a brilliant save from goalkeeper Nnadozie Chiamaka that denied Canada’s Christine Sincliar’s penalty kick from being a goal.
Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chimaka Nnadozie went down well to deny Canada‘s Christine Sinclair from the penalty spot as the encounter ended goalless.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have started their campaign at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with their first game ending in a draw.
Randy Waldrum’s girls started the game on a back foot, with the Canadians dominating the exchanges and pressing upfront.
The first sight at goal came in the 9th minute when Christine Sinclair fired her effort just wide.
In the 14th minute, Francisca Ordega switched to defensive mode with a fine block to deny Canada charging into the box. It resulted in a corner which goalkeeper Nnadozie punched away.
Nigeria had the first and only shot of the first half when Ifeoma Onumonu fired a brilliant effort that required goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan parry the effort into the corner.
Asisat Oshoala had the best chance of the first half when the ball found its way to her, but the effort from an acute angle was cleared away. It ended 0-0 at half-time.
The Canadians started the second half the same way they did in the first, and just two minutes later, they were awarded a penalty, Al Jazeera reports.
After a VAR review for a potential Canada penalty, Ordega was adjudged to have fouled Sinclair, and the referee awarded a spot kick.
In a spectacular fashion, goalkeeper Nnadozie went the right way to save Sinclair’s penalty and then punched away before a rebound attempt.
There were concerns on the Nigerian bench in the 69th minute when Nnaodozie went down the turf writhing in pain, but after medical attention, she managed to continue.
In stoppage time, Deborah Abiodun’s initial yellow card was upgraded to a red card by VAR for a dangerous tackle.
Despite that, Nigeria made a late surge upfront, but all their efforts were quelled as it ended at full time;
Australia top Group B Co-host nation Australia are top of the group with three points following a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.
Stephanie Catley scored the only goal of that game from the spot in the 52nd minute.
Nigeria and Canada have a point each, while the Republic of Ireland are bottom of the group with zero points.
Nigeria will take on Australia in their next match at the tournament on Thursday, July 27, at 11 am Nigerian time.
