Nigeria's goalkeeper, Chimaka Nnadozie, made a crucial save from a penalty taken by Canada's Christine Sinclair, resulting in a goalless draw between the two teams at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, Newspremises reports.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria commenced their campaign with a challenging encounter, facing early pressure as the Canadian team dominated possession and pressed forward.

In the 9th minute, Canada's Sinclair attempted a shot that narrowly missed the target. Four minutes later, Francisca Ordega displayed excellent defensive skills, blocking a Canadian charge into the box, leading to a corner that Nnadozie successfully punched away.

Nigeria's first and only shot on goal in the first half came from Ifeoma Onumonu, whose powerful effort forced a good save from Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, pushing the ball into the corner.

Asisat Oshoala had a promising opportunity from an acute angle but failed to convert, resulting in a goalless first half.

Canada continued their attacking momentum into the second half, and just two minutes in, they were awarded a penalty after a VAR review found Ordega guilty of fouling Sinclair in the box.

Nnadozie exhibited exceptional goalkeeping skills, correctly diving to save Sinclair's penalty and then reacting swiftly to punch away the rebound attempt.

In the 69th minute, concerns arose when Nnadozie suffered an injury, but she received medical attention and bravely continued playing.

During stoppage time, Deborah Abiodun received a yellow card, which was subsequently upgraded to a red card by VAR due to a dangerous tackle.

Despite being a player down, Nigeria mounted a late surge in attack, but their efforts were thwarted by a resilient Canadian defense, leading to a final score of 0-0 at full time, leaving both teams with a draw in their opening match.

In the Group B, co-host nation, Australia are top of the group with three points following their 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.

Stephanie Catley scored the only goal of that game from the spot in the 52nd minute.

Nigeria and Canada have a point each, while the Republic of Ireland are bottom of the group with zero points.

Nigeria will take on Australia in their next match at the tournament on Thursday, July 27, at 11 am Nigerian time.

Source: https://newspremises.com.ng/fifa-womens-world-cup-nnadozie-saves-penalty-oshoala-caged-as-nigeria-vs-canada-ends-in-draw/

Gggg

Nice one

Skill and technique over strength. I hope they step their game up

Rubbish

Damn!

It was really a tough game!

I'm falling in love with some girls in the team; their short are really too short!

Infact that my girlfriend Mitchell Alozie was wearing bump short

Emperormartin:
Damn!

It was really a tough game!

I'm falling in love with some girls in the team; their short are really too short!

Infact that my girlfriend Mitchell Alozie was wearing bump short

Please don't disturb those girls with your love talk, allow them to concentrate

extol1:

Please don't disturb those girls with your love talk, allow them to concentrate

Good one!
Nice start!

Our keeper was the heroin, and that no nonsense player abiodun, though she was later red carded, at least I watched her stopping some dangerous moves of the Canadians.

All the same, kudos to the girls, but they need better performance if they must qualify from the group.

Cc: Lalasticlala Mynd44 Dominique