African champions, Super Falcons early Saturday morning suffered a 2-0 defeat in the first of their two-legged friendly games against Canada at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver reports allnigeriasoccer.com.
Chelsea midfielder Jessie Fleming and ex-Bordeaux center back Vanessa Gilles scored for the hosts in the second half.
The Falcons who are using the games as preparation for the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations held the hosts to a goalless first half albeit both sides had chances to put their teams ahead.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was in splendid form as she kept the African champions in the game early on with strings of impressive saves.
The Falcons' solid defensive solidity frustrated the quartet of Jessie Fleming, Desiree Scot, Quinn and Christine Sinclair, with Leicester City's Ashleigh Plumptre making a vital clearance in the 27th minute.
Rasheedat Ajibade let fly a long range effort to force a save from Canadian keeper Stephanie Labbe to win the first free kick of the game for Nigeria with half an hour played.
Two minutes before the break, Uchenna Kanu was clear on goal but eventually dispossessed off the ball by Kadeisha Buchanan.
Canada's Christine Sinclair had the last chance of the first half but failed to make good progress before the Nigerian defence cleared the ball.
The Falcons made raft of changes in the second half at different times with Rita Chikwelu substituted early in the second half by Michelle Alozie.
Later in the game, Kanu was stretchered off for a serious injury and replaced by Oyin Echegini.
Fleming got Canada on the mark in the 51st minute, her fifteenth goal for her country, with a powerful shot from inside the box.
Gilles doubled the hosts' lead with 18 minutes left to play with a perfect header from a corner kick which substitute keeper Tochukwu Oluehi could not keep out despite her commendable performance when she came on.
However, after conceding the second goal,, Oluehi was splendid and never seemed like letting in another goal against the Canadians.
Nigeria starting XI : Nnadozie, Plumptre, Ebi, Ogbonna, Nicole Payne, Chikwelu, Ajibade, Toni Payne, Kanu, Ucheibe, Onumonu
Substitutes : Oluehi, Balogun, Alozie,Efih, Mbadi, Echegini
Izuchukwu Michael
Photo Credit : canadasoccer.com
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
Comments 0
Leave a Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!