Football fans all over the world had a swell time with the Nigeria against Canada match in the on-going 2023 FIFA World Women Cup, WWC 2023.
It was a spectacular non-stop intensive match with back-to-back explosive football displays from the two top-ranked teams in the tournament.
It was also a battle for supremacy for Canada, the current World Women Olympic Football champions against Nigeria, an Olympic quarter-finalist.
The upset came when Nigeria with a new game plan have held Canada to a 0-0 draw at the FIFA Women World Cup, against all predictions of a football massacre by the high ranking Canadian team.
Nigeria’s determined players, especially the die-hard forwards and awesome goal keeper, Nnadozie Chiamaka, said capital no to the Canadians.
She bravely saved a second half penalty which supposed to be the winning goal to Canada in the encounter. In addition.
Nigerian Goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie in action during the match
The Super Falcon skillful goal keeper had made some brilliant saves before the penalty save in early second half. The Nigerians who were then reduced to ten players after VAR upgraded yellow to red card for the Nigerian defender, Abiodun in the extra time. But Nnadozie put up a fantastic save to block the penalty taking by dread forward Christiane Sinclair to stop Canada from earning victory in the match.
Nnadozie receiving her best player (Man of Match Award) trophy from FIFA
The encounter was held at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. The stadium was filled with football fans from both nations and more from Australia, the host nation.
The nine-time African champions are lodged at the Mariot Hotel, Avenger Park in Melbourne. The Super Falcons returned to their base, the Sofitel Hotel Central, Brisbane after the game.
However, the Nigerian team should be applauded for putting up such a good performance without her super regulars; Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimat Ayinde, who missed the match against Canada.
The duo were suspended for the encounter, having been sent off in the Super Falcons’ semi-final defeat against host nation Morocco at the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations
As Deborah Abiodun saw red card, a 48 minute penalty saved by Super Falcons’ first choice goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie ensured that Nigeria held the Olympic champions Canada to a barren draw did enough to secure one point from the position on their group table.
Veteran winger, Francisca Ordega had fouled Canada’s legendary striker, Christine Sinclair in the Nigerian box three minutes into the second half. It resulted to the unfortunate as well as unforgettable penalty.
It was very clear that Canada played better than Nigeria. They should have walk away with a deserving victory. They had 68 percent ball possession and was also topped Nigeria with 16-11 total shots on target. In fact Canada started the game better than Nigeria. They were looking more like the real World Cup contender with unchallenged football artistry against Nigerians. But as the game went on they fell flat as courageous Nigerians held every move they made. Nigeria on other hand gained more strength and confidence into the match. The Super Falcons later applied devastating counterattacks on the against the Canadians which slowed down their game. Asisat Oshoala and Onumonu should be applauded for the dangerous counterattacks on the Canadian side. While goalkeeper Nnadozie, who is man of the match, and defenders Alozie, Ohale and Demehin should be appreciated for checkmating the terrorizing Canadians team led by Christiane Sinclair.
Canada coach praises Super Falcons but the team captain and other members of the team currently ranked 7th best in the World expressed huge disappointment for sharing the point 40th rank Nigerian team.
Coach of Canada, the reigning Olympics champions Bev Priestman shared her honest thoughts with reporters after the match: “We take a point from it ultimately. I was really pleased with the push in the end by the side.
“Credit to Nigeria. They had a game plan and were dangerous on the counterattack.
“We got into the box a lot and had some chances we couldn’t get over the line. That’s tournament football. We dust ourselves and move on to the next match.
“I thought all the players brought something to the pitch. Everybody would expect her, Christine Sinclair to score the penalty]. She has scored goal after goal after goal for this country, but ultimately tournament football is about moving on.”
Canada’s forward and Captain Jordyn Huitema, who was one of the standout players for Canada, had this to say post-match: “We are disappointed with the result. We wanted more from ourselves.
“There is still lots to play for in this tournament. We need to learn from this game and move forward.
“There is always moments we need to take advantage of. It is about finishing our opportunities and making the most of our final passes.”
