The Super Falcons of Nigeria recorded a 2-1 loss to Canada on Monday afternoon as part of the their preparation for the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France.
Coming from the back of a 6-1 win over Icelandic top-flight side, Selfoss on Friday evening, the Nigerian side we’re quite confident of a good game against the no. 5 ranked team in the World.
With only a few changes from the starting XI against Selfoss, the African Champions began the game quite well but the Canadians soon began to dominate proceedings.
Occasionally, the Super Falcons had spells of possession in which they were in control just like the Canadians. However, in the 26 minute against the run of play Uchenna Kanu was fed with the ball and after dribbling past a couple of Canadian players who were on her, she fed Desire Oparanozie with a beautiful through ball which the striker did well to control and finish superbly beyond the goalkeeper to give Nigeria the lead.
From then on the African Champions grew in confidence and could have gotten a second despite the pressure from the Canadians which was well dealt with by the Nigerian defence.
It was however a different ball game in the second half as two quick fire goals within the space of six minutes saw the game turn on it’s head with Canada completing the comeback over Nigeria.
In the 47th minute, Beckie Janine fired past Tochukwu Oluehi in the Nigerian goal after a well worked cross into the area. Similarly, in the 53rd minute, another cross also from the right side of Canada’s attack was headed in by Sophie Schmidt as Nigeria failed to deal with the aerial balls.
With the comeback complete, Canada went in search of more goals; so also Nigeria who were looking for the equaliser but it was the North Americans who held on for the win to maintain their six match unbeaten run in the build-up to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
