Onumonu, Ajibade strike as Nigeria hold Canada to 2-2 draw
Ifeoma Onumonu and Rasheedat Ajibade helped spare Nigeria’s blushes as the Super Falcons played a 2-2 draw against host Canada, the reigning women’s football Olympic champions, in their second friendly.
The duo starred in Asisat Oshoala’s absence as the Super Falcons took on the sixth-ranked country in the world in the match played at the Starlight Stadium, Langford.
The Nigerian side lost the first friendly 0-2 to Canada in Vancouver and aimed for a better showing in the second game.
The Super Falcons started brightly and deservedly went ahead in the fifth minute when Onumonu converted a ball with a backheel near the opponent’s post.
The Randy Waldrum-led Super Falcons held on to the one-goal advantage until the end of the first half. Canada started the second half in earnest, and a slip made by Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi earned the host an equaliser.
Veteran Canadian striker Christine Sinclair noticed that Nigeria’s goalkeeper was off her line and chipped the ball into the net for her 186th international goal.
The game was not level for long as the Super Falcons went in front in the 53rd minute as Atletico Madrid forward Ajibade found the back of the net for the Super Falcons.
Down by a goal in front of their home fans, Canada began to pile pressure on the Super Falcons’ defence, compelling Waldrum to make a couple of substitutions bringing in fresh legs to help.
Nigeria could not hold on to a possible away victory against Canada as Shelina Zadorsky’s 87th-minute equaliser brought the host level again.
The two games against Canada were a huge test for the Super Falcons as they continue to prepare for the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations tourney in Morocco.
The tournament will hold from July 2 to 23 and doubles as the African qualifiers for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The top four teams will qualify for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and two more teams will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.
(NAN)
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