Super Falcons star, Christy Ucheibe, was named player of the match as Benfica secured their first point in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) with a 1-1 draw against FC Twente on Wednesday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Ucheibe played in defence as Benfica opened the scoring in the 62nd minute through Cristina Martin-Prieto, before Lynn Groenewegen equalised for Twente seven minutes later. The Portuguese defending champions held on to earn their first point of the league phase and will travel to face Paris FC in their next UWCL fixture.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain Féminine, suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, marking the first-ever European women’s match at the stadium. Rasheedat Ajibade and Jennifer Echegini started for PSG, with Echegini coming close to scoring in the opening two minutes as her long-range effort struck the post. Ajibade also delivered several dangerous crosses, but PSG were unable to convert any. Melvine Malard gave Manchester United the lead, and although Olga Carmona equalised in stoppage time, Fridolina Rolfö scored the winner in the 58th minute. Echegini was substituted in the 64th minute, while Ajibade left the pitch in the 73rd. The result marked PSG’s third consecutive loss in the UWCL, and they now focus on their next fixture against Bayern Munich.
In Italy, AS Roma Femminile, were narrowly defeated 1-0 at home by Valerenga on Tuesday, with Nigerian defender Shukurat Oladipo starting the match. The only goal came in the 40th minute from Stine Brekken, and despite creating several chances, Roma could not find an equaliser. The Italian side have now lost all three of their opening UWCL matches, and their next fixture is against OH Leuven. Meanwhile, Nigerian winger Rinsola Babajide has returned to training following injury but is yet to be included in the squad.
After three rounds, Benfica sit 15th, PSG 16th, and AS Roma 17th in the UWCL table, reflecting a difficult start for the Nigerian players and their clubs.
