Nigeria’s Super Falcons held Portugal to a 0-0 draw in an international friendly match on Monday.
The game, which was played in Amadora, Portugal, was part of preparations for the Super Falcons ahead of this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
This is the second time the two teams will clash, with their first meeting also a friendly encounter in 2021 which ended 3-3.
While the Portuguese edged the first half, the Super Falcons put up a better performance in the second half, especially with the triple introduction of Ifeoma Onumonu, Halimotu Ayinde and Ashleigh Plumptre, who replaced Echehini, Usani and Rinsola Babajide.
Chiamaka Nnadozie was outstanding for the nine-time African champions as she made strings of important saves to deny the Portuguese.
Going into the game against the Falcons, Portugal had lost their last four matches.
Prior to the game with Portugal the Super Falcons defeated Cameroon 2-0 on June 3.
The coach Justin Madugu-led side will take on Black Queens of Ghana in another friendly game on Sunday, June 29.
Rasheedat Ajibade had the Falcons first opportunity on 15 minutes after turning her marker inside the box but her weak left-foot strike was well saved by the keeper.
On 24 minutes a long pass from the Portuguese half was poorly cleared by Tosin Demehin but Nnadozie quickly came off her area to claim the ball.
Also Read: WAFCON 2024: Madugu Explains Monday’s Omission From Super Falcons’ Squad
Just two minutes later Nnadozie tipped a goal-bound shot just over the bar.
Nnadozie was called to action again on 33 minutes as she leaped to tip over a dangerous looping ball.
The host team continued to create chances and went close five minutes into the second half but saw their player denied by Nnadozie from point blank.
Two minutes later Nnadozie made a one hand save as she palmed away a close range header from a set piece.
The Portuguese kept probing for the opener and had a big chance on 54 minutes as one of their player beat the offside trap to collect a long pass. Unfortunately for her Nnadozie dove full stretch to make contact with the ball.
It was the turn of the Super Falcons to go in search of a goal and they almost found the breakthrough on 57 minutes but Ajibade’a dangerous low cross was cleared away.
In the 71st minute Ajibade went close again, connecting with a cross but her weak attempt was saved.
With 10 minutes left Francisca Ordega attempted a lob from a far distance after the Portuguese came way off her line but the ball hit the bar.
In the 84th minute Ordega sent in a low cross from the left but Onumunu, with the keeper to beat, failed to get a good contact of the ball.
By James Agberebi
3 Comments
I couldn’t follow the match from a visceral level because the Portuguese commentaries sort of put me off. Plus, I was feeling very sleepy after a busy day, so the flame of patriotism wasn’t pervasive enough to keep me awake.
That said, from the little I saw, the Super Falcons looked way too expansive for my liking. The wingers were too far to the flanks, which compromised their ability to create credible scoring opportunities earlier on.
Ordega, a controversial selection, has to be praised for taking a leaf out of Messi and Ronaldo’s playbook: looking sleek and light on their feet, despite advancing age. Kelechi Iheanacho can learn a thing or two about how Ordega has stayed lean and fit. Whether as a centre forward or right winger, she made meaningful contributions with menacing runs, wicked crosses and an audacious effort on goal from long range.
Chiamaka Nnadozie is unassailable – the Vincent Enyeama of this generation of Falcons, and then some!
After Madugu introduced the more mature players in the second half, even my half-asleep, half-awake state couldn’t help but notice the increase in tempo, intensity, and class.
A big star of mine – Ucheibe – is becoming slightly error prone – she should please nip this menace in the bud.
I continue to be unconvinced about Echiejine as a midfielder. She – in my flawed opinion – does not have the physicality and range of movement to handle the rigours of the midfielder. She is a scorer, a scorer with exceptional technique who should be a support striker.
The team played like a typical Nigerian team coached by a typical Nigerian coach: work your way to the flanks, cross and score – no mre no less. I got no problem with this, but, with wngers the far wide close to the throw-in line, it becomes easier for opposition teams to isolate our players.
Plus, individual ingenuity is needed to really make this approach work, which is why, in my jaded opinion, the wealth of experience and expertise introduced by the introduction of experienced legs in the second half brought their pattern play to life.
Over-relying on individuality might go some way in inviting certain players into this squad – a largely up-and-coming squad will likely suffer!
Apt!
Thanks