Nigeria’s Senior Women’s Football Team, the Super Falcons, showed resilience and tactical discipline as they secured a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Portugal in an international friendly match, at the Estádio José Gomes in Lisbon.
The nine-time African champions, aspiring for a 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, only arrived in Portugal less than 24 hours before the encounter, but showed no signs of fatigue as they stood up to the Portuguese in a game that indicated readiness to battle for the continental crown in Morocco.
Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was the star of the night as she pulled off an epic save in the 24th minute as Portugal launched onslaught after onslaught. Nnadozie’s heroics and stonewall defending by the Falcons kept the scoreline even.
In the second half, Africa’s number one goalkeeper pulled off three world-class saves within four minutes, denying the dangerous Jessica Silva, Fatima Pinto and Andreia Norton.
The injection of Ifeoma Onumonu, Ashleigh Plumptre and Halimatu Ayinde rejuvenated Nigeria’s game. As the Falcons took control, Ordega’s brilliant move and pass into the box in the 64th minute went begging.
The Falcons revved the engine to dominate the final 20 minutes, during which the vibrant Ordega rattled the crossbar from distance and Onumonu just fell short of squaring past the goalkeeper from another inspired Ordega cross.
At the end, the Super Falcons gave a good account of themselves, and left the Portuguese fans stunned with an elegant outing at the Estádio José Gomes.
The Nigeria contingent will depart from Lisbon for Casablanca on Wednesday, where they will take on Ghana’s Black Queens in another friendly match on Sunday.
Their first match of the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations comes up on Sunday, 6th July against Tunisia in Casablanca.