Nigeria’s Super Falcons fought to a gallant goalless draw in their opening match against Olympic champions Canada, with goalkeeper and captain Chiamaka Nnadozie the hero after stopping Christine Sinclair’s second-half penalty.
In Nigeria’s 27th match at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Super Falcons ran out on the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium as the clear underdogs to Olympic champions Canada in their fluorescent lime green kit.
The legendary Sinclair, 40, led the Canadians, and with 190 international goals, were straight in the ascendancy.
Coach Randy Waldrum elected to leave out his 40-year-old captain Onome Ebi, and the team was without the suspended duo of midfield tyro Halimatu Ayinde and in-form forward Rasheedat Ayinde.
Ashleigh Plumptre’s back-pass to Nnadozie was almost pounced on in the third minute as the Falcons started nervously. Francisca Ordega defended well in her box in the fifth, with Adriana Leon asking the referee to decide in her favour.