Stand-in captain, Chiamaka Nnadozie earned Super Falcons a much-needed point against Canada following her heroics in between the sticks to deny Christine Sinclair from the spot as they begin their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign.
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The hosts – New Zealand who kicked off the tournament picked up their first-ever group stage win with a narrow 1-0 victory against Norway W as Australia couped all three points against Republic of Ireland with the same scoreline to begin on a high.
Canada was expected to cruise their way and dominate the contest with ease against a rather inexperienced Nigeria side, but as has been the trend in the early days of this 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, things did not go according to plan.
Despite the fact the CONCACAF giants dominated possession and moved the ball around with confidence, they struggled to create anything even remotely dangerous in the final meters.
Super Falcons poster girl, Asisat Oshoala caused disruptions to Canada’s defenders with her blistering runs and physicality but couldn’t get a breakthrough moment to put the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper both sides saw limited dangers in the first half.
Canada started the second half with a more aggressive approach and had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock with a penalty in the 50th minute.
The team’s captain and all-time scorer, Christine Sinclair needed just a goal scored to become the first player, man or woman, to score in six different World Cups but she missed a crucial spot kick after a marvelous save from Chiamaka Nnadozie to give Canada the win.
Canada, which captured the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, is ranked seventh in the world by FIFA. Nigeria is ranked 40th.
Nigeria ended the game with 10 players after Deborah Abiodun received a red card deep in second-half stoppage time for a late, high challenge on the shin of Ashley Lawrence.
Up next for Randy Waldrum and his girls’ is the round 2 encounter against Australia W while Canada plays the Republic of Ireland Women in Group B.
