Nigeria Super Falcons held Olympic Champions Canada to a 2-2 draw in the second instalment of their double header friendly decided on Monday evening (Tuesday morning in Nigeria) at the Starlight Stadium, Langford, www aclsports.com reports.
The Olympic champions enjoyed a routine 2-0 win over the Falcons on Friday night in Vancouver but the African champions produced a more dogged display at the compact arena to avoid a second defeat.
Nigeria went in front in the fifth minute through striker Ifeoma Onumonu who back-heeled into the net after the Canadians fail to clear Toni Payne’s free kick.
Despite being under the cosh for larger spells in the first half, Nigeria kept their lead till the break with some trademark fine performances by goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and the defenders.
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The story changed however at the start of the second half and the hosts levelled in the 48th minute when substitute Christine Sinclair pounced on a defensive mix-up involving Nnadozie, Ashleigh Plumptre and captain Onome Ebi to score from 25 yards.
Undettered, Randy Waldrum’s Falcons went on the front foot again and took the lead for the second time in the game when Rasheedat Ajibade’s cross from the left eluded everyone inside the box and nestled in the net on 53 minutes.
When the West Africans thought they had done enough to hold on for the win, Performance of the Match winner, Shelina Zadorsky headed home three minutes from time to ensure the game ended all square.
The friendly games serve as preparation for 9-time African champions Nigeria ahead of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Morocco in July..
Nigeria XI
Nnadozie; Alozie (N. Payne 83′), Onome Ebi, Plumptre, Toni Payne; Chikwelu (Peace Efih 74′), Christy Ucheibe, Rasheedat Ajibade; Francisca Ordega (Akudo Ogbonna 89′), Uchenna Kanu, Ifeoma Onumonu.
