The Super Falcons kept Canada at bay and got a point, courtesy of a penalty save from Chiamaka Nnadozie at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Friday. The game ended goalless.

The Super Falcons despite not getting a win, showed resilience and were resolute in their approach to the game, especially on the defensive end.

Regardless of the slow start to the game in the first 20 minutes, Randy Waldrum’s side got back in and persevered. Canada had the majority of the possession and a real chance at goal via a penalty kick which was taken by Veteran and Captain, Christine Sinclair but it was shoved off by the strong left hand of Chiamaka Nnadozie and several other attempts made by the ladies in red were futile.

How it happened:

Olympic Champions, Canada, came into the game with fire and brimstone, dominating the game in the first 20 minutes and dictating play but all the possession amounted to nothing as an attempt on goal by Christine Sinclair was inaccurately taken through the top corner.

The Super Falcons woke up and found their rhythm, with Ifeoma Onumonu taking a shot on target but was saved by the opposition goalkeeper, Sheridan. In the 25th minute, Michelle Alozie surged forward from the flanks in hopes of creating something tangible but to no avail. Two minutes after, Oluwatosin Demehin played a long ball in, through the left, to find Asisat Oshoala but once again, went begging. In the 34th minute, Deborah Abiodun took a shot from deep but it sailed just over the crossbar and like most chances in the game, it was not to be.

Nigeria made several attempts to open up the game via the counter-attack but also struggled to get the ball into the box and finish up goalscoring opportunities. The first half ended goalless, and it was thanks to a very good defensive effort from both sides.

The second half saw a lot more balance in terms of possession and overall play from both sides but still no sharpness in front of goal but it saw drama. In the 49th minute, Francisca Ordega made a bad challenge on the ankle of Christine Sinclair inside the penalty area, leading to a penalty kick to Canada which was taken by Sinclair but saved beautifully by Chiamaka Nnadozie. The drama continued as Deborah Abiodun got a red card in the 90+7 minute after a VAR review the original decision to give a yellow was overturned.

It ended goalless and both sides walked away with a point.

Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin and Plumptre held their own at the back of the park for the Super Falcons.

Deborah Abiodun, Christy Ucheibe and Toni Payne did their best to control the midfield in the absence of Ajibade, while Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega and Ifeoma Onumonu struggled to get the job done in front.

Goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie was the hero on the night as she punched away what would have been a match-winner for Canada and secured a point for her side.

The result leaves Nigeria third in the group after Australia’s win against Ireland earlier. Nigeria will play co-hosts Australia in their next fixture on 27 July 2023.

Some post-match insights:

Nigeria has avoided defeat in all three of their matches against Canada at the FIFA Women’s World Cup (W1 D2). Canada is the only opponent Nigeria has faced more than once at the FIFA Women’s World Cup without ever losing.

Nigeria kept a clean sheet for the fourth time in 27 matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the second against Canada (also 2011). This is the first time Nigeria has played a scoreless draw in the competition.

Canada has avoided defeat in their opening match for the third straight FIFA Women’s World Cup (W2 D1) after collecting only one point in the opening match in their first five appearances in the competition.