By Our Correspondent

Africa’s Champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria on Saturday morning squared up against 2020 Olympic football gold medalists, Canada women in a friendly match.

It took the Canadian women almost an hour for them to breakdown the rearguard of the Falcons who held them at bare in the first 45 minutes.

However, Jessie Fleming broke the deadlock in the 50th minutes before Vanessa Gilles made it two in 72nd minute.

The encounter was the Super Falcons first match after they booked their ticket for the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON in Morocco against Ivory Coast in February

The match which took place inside the BC Place stadium, Vancouver, saw Canada dominate most part of the game as they created more scoring opportunities.

Chiamaka Nnadozie was called into action as early as the fourth minute as she made successive saves.

In the 13th minute Nnadozie made another save as the Canadians threatened from a corner.

The Falcons were awarded a free-kick in the 22nd minute in a good position but failed to score from it.

In the 27th minute Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre prevented the Falcons from going Behind with a good clearance.

Just two minutes later Rasheedat Ajibade fired a long range shot which was parried away for a corner by Canada’s keeper Stephanie Labbe.

After a goalless first half, Canada broke the deadlock in the 50th minute through Jessie Fleming.

The hosts went in search of the second and almost doubled their lead on 62 minutes but were denied by Nnadozie who made multiple saves to keep the scoreline at 1-0.

Canada’s persistence in front of goal was rewarded as they got the second on 72 minutes through Vanessa Gilles.

With seven minutes left substitute keeper Tochukwu Oluehi was forced to a brilliant save to deny Canada a third.

In the 93rd minute Oluehi had to be at her best again to deny the Canadians a third with another good save.

The doubleheader friendly games are part of preparations for the Falcons ahead of this year’s WAFCON in Morocco billed for July.

Both teams will meet again on Tuesday, 12th April at 3:30am Nigerian time, in Victoria.