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By Amaechi Agbo

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was the heroine on Friday morning as Olympic Champions Canada hold ten-woman Nigeria’s Super Falcons to a goalless draw in their Group B match at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

In the second Group B match played in the wee hours of Friday, the Paris FC of France female team goalkeeper saved a 50th minute penalty from Canada captain, Christine Sinclair to keep the score goalless.

A Video Assistant Referee, VAR aided penalty was awarded to the Canadians after Super Falcons winger Francisca Ordega stepped on the foot of Sinclair inside the box, the 40-year-old who also took the resultant penalty, saw her shot saved by Nnadozie who dived left-ward using her left hand to block the ball from entering her net.

In a match that could be regarded as the Super Falcons best performance in recent outings, the Randy Waldrum led ladies who had shaky start in the first half grew into the game with Ngọzi Onumonu and UEFA Women’s Champions League winner, Asisat Oshoala combining to put the Canadian defence in constant check.

19-year-old Deborah Abiodun received a straight red card in the added time in second half following her tackle against Canadian player. She was initially given a yellow card but after a VAR review, the centre referee changed her mind and sent the teenager who was dominant in the game, out

Onumonu drew a fantastic save from Canada goalkeeper in the first have when her shot was parried out of danger for the nine-time Africa champions’ corner kick.

It was indeed a great start for the former African champions whose preparations for the tournament was overshadowed by off-field activities including a reported threat by the players to boycott the match against Canada

The Super Falcons will take on co-host nation Australia on Thursday, July 27 next week at the Lang Park Brisbane Stadium, by 11am Nigerian time