Nigeria’s Super Falcons started their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand with a scoreline of 0-0 against Olympic champions, Canada.
Goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie turned the heroine of the match played in Brisbane after saving Christine Sinclair’s penalty early in the second half.
The Falcons also had midfielder, Deborah Abiodun sent off late on in the game for a dangerous foul.
Canada dominated the match with more than two third of the possession, but Nigeria was resolute in defence, until just after halftime when veteran Christine Sinclair went down in the box under a clumsy tackle from Francisca Ordega.
40-year-old Sinclair, a talismanic figure for the Canadians for over two decades and in her 324th match for her country tried converting the penalty kick but Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie stepped up with a save. The save stopped Sinclair from becoming the first player to score in six World Cups. She still has an opportunity to make history as Canada continues their campaign.
Nnadozie went on to make several saves for Super Falcons as the match dragged on. Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan also made key saves, including a close-range shot in the 80th minute.
With neither of the team being able to secure a victory, winning the next two group-stage matches becomes more crucial. A loss for either Nigeria or Canada in their next matches would make advancing out of Group B very difficult. Another draw and the team’s final group stage match would be a must-win.
