Super Falcons’ young goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, is extremely proud to keep a clean sheet in her debut appearance for the side against Korea Republic at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and insists she will cherish the moment for the rest of her career, reports Completesports.com.
Nnadozie, 18, was picked ahead of the more experienced Tochukwu Oluehi by head coach Thomas Dennerby and she rewarded the Swede’s faith with a superb performance as the African champions recorded a 2-0 win against the Asians.
The Rivers Angels goalkeeper also made history as the youngest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
An elated Nnadozie took to the social media to express her happiness on the the win against the Koreans.
“All Glory to God. I’m very delighted to make a winning debut with Nigeria against South Korea at the 2019 Women’s World Cup. It’s a great moment in my career and I will cherish it forever,” Nnadozie tweeted.
France top Group A with six points from two games – three ahead of second-placed Norway and third-placed Nigeria.
The Super Falcons will take on hosts France in their last group game next week Monday at the Roazhon Park, Rennes. Kick-off is 8pm Nigerian time.
By Adeboye Amosu
3 Comments
Thank you
Young lady acquitted herself very well under the relentless fire of the Koreans. Merit is what sports is all sbout as I believe Oluchi will dust herself up to fight back for selection.
It could all have been a different story for Nnadozie if the tap in by Korea’s number 11 Lee Geum-min had not been disallowed due to the most marginal of offsides that I have ever seen in my life!
What looked like a harmless cross that should have drawn a routine save was sensationally spilled by Nnadozie to allow Lee tap into an empty net only for VAR to come to her and Nigeria’s rescue.
However, she redeemed herself with a commanding overall display and excellent positioning at times.
Stats don’t lie: in that match, Korea had 16 shots at goal with 6 on target, yet Nnadozie kept a clean sheet.
In the previous match, the Norwegians had 10 shots on goal with 4 on target but Oluehi conceded 3 goals.
*A caveat to that is that Norway were a far superior opposition*
Still, goalkeeping error contributed to at least one of Norway’s goals.
Nnadozie did well no doubt but the sort of blunder that led to the disallowed goal against Korea needs to be addressed otherwise she and the team might be made to suffer for this against a far superior opposition.