The Super Falcons of Nigeria collected their first point in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after forcing a barren stalemate against Olympic champions Canada in their opening Group B match played at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Friday morning.Despite being reduced to ten players following Deborah Abiodun’s VAR-induced red card for serious foul play deep into stoppage time, Nigeria managed to see out the match on their way to picking up the draw.It ends 0-0 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium courtesy of some Captain Chiamaka heroics. 🧤#BeyondGreatness | #FIFAWWC— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 21, 2023 The Randy Waldrum coached had Chiamaka Nnadozie to thank following the hard fought draw as the 22 year old goalkeeper saved a penalty awarded to Canada in the 50th minute and pulled a string of other impressive saves to help her side to their opening point and a clean sheet after the first match.Bev Priestman’s Canada were expected to cruise their way against a largely inexperienced Nigeria, but as has been the trend in the early days of this 2023 FIFA Women World Cup, that was not the case.⚽ Nigeria and Canada play out a scoreless draw in Melbourne, after a tense second half which saw a penalty save and a red card.🇳🇬 0-0 🇨🇦Follow live: https://t.co/1FlC2aSYH0 #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/8HFrw89F3Q— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) July 21, 2023 The CONCACAF giants dominated possession and moved the ball around with confidence as Nigeria struggled to get into the game but the Canadians just lacked the creative nous needed in the final third.The Super Falcons resorted to long balls to Asisat Oshoala and the reigning CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year, who plies her trade with Barcelona, caused trouble a couple of times with her physicality and runs.##NAJAVA_MECA_7377649##Clear cut chances however remained to be a difficulty for the two sides who went into the breather with the deadlock intact with just one shot on target to Nigeria.In the second half, Canada started the second half with more aggression and intent and had a golden opportunity just three minutes in when they were awarded a penalty after a late challenge by Ordega in the box.BREAKING: Gor Mahia facing expulsion from CAF CLHowever, the team’s best player and all-time scorer, Christine Sinclair, missed the spot kick after a brilliant low save by Nnadozie. Had she scored, Sinclair, would have become the first player, man or woman, to score in six different World Cups.The Canadians tried to find the opening goal but a resolute Nigeria did not let up as the game ended in a barren stalemate.
