Women’s World Cup: Nnadozie’s penalty save earns Falcons draw against Canada

The Super Falcons dug in for a goalless draw against Canada in their first game of the 2023 Women’s World Cup (WWC).

A second-half penalty stop by Chiamaka Nnadozie proved crucial against a dominant Canadian side at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Australia, in the early hours of Friday.

Randy Waldrum opted for a balance of experience and youth in defence, with Osinachi Ohale and Blessing Demehin paired at central back ahead of the ever-present Onome Ebi.

With Halimotu Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade unavailable due to suspension, Deborah Abiodun and Ifeoma Onumonu got the nod for their World Cup debut behind Asisat Oshoala, who was the lone striker.

The Falcons had played the Olympic champions in a double-header friendly in 2022. The games ended in a loss and a draw.

The latest meeting bore a resemblance to the previous encounters.

The Canadians began the game on the front foot and dominated throughout the first 20 minutes. The combination of Christain Sinclair, Andrea Leon and Jordyn Huitema proved more than a handful and forced the Nigerians into low-block defending.

Sinclair came close to giving Canada the lead in the ninth minute but dragged her shot just wide from the edge of the Nigerian goal area.

Despite the Canadians’ early sway, Nigeria had the first shot on target in the game. Onumonu cut in from the flank and aimed for the far corner with a curler, but Kailan Sheridan pawed it away from her goal for a corner kick.

A brief spell of control from the Falcons saw Abiodun smash another shot just a millimetre over the cross-bar from the edge of the box.

Then, Nigeria almost profiteered from a goof in the Canadian backline. Sheridan threw herself at a clearance and missed completely, Oshoala pounced on the ball, but a touchline clearance stopped her attempt.

The most significant opportunity of the game came early in the second half for Canada. Francesca Ordega plunged into a tackle against Sinclair inside the Nigerian goal area, and a video assistant referee (VAR) adjudged the play as a penalty.

Nnadozie dived low and right to save Sinclair’s kick from the resultant penalty.

The Falcons held on for a vital point, but the only dark cloud was a late red card for Abiodun, who had delivered a sensational debut until then.

The draw puts Nigeria in a good position to progress from the group. The team will face Australia on Thursday in the second game of the group.