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After thwarting Olympic champions Canada in Nigeria’s opening match at the Women’s World Cup, the Super Falcons will hope for a repeat performance from Chiamaka Nnadozie against Sam Kerr-less Australia.
The best positive outcomes tend to be the unexpected ones, and that rang true for the Super Falcons last Friday when they picked up a creditable point off Canada in the opening game of their FIFA Women’s World Cup encounter.
There was minimal interest in the game in Nigeria due to the administrative problems before the start of the competition and the timing of the fixture, which kicked off before dawn in the West African nation. The former spread wider concerns after Randy Waldrum’s strongly-worded statements and a threat of a boycott against Canada pointed to one thing: an early exit at the Super Falcons’ ninth Women’s World Cup appearance.
Admittedly, the West African side could still be eliminated after three games, but there is renewed hope amid all the chaos.
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15:20 - 21.07.2023
Super Falcons: Unlikely draw against Canada recalls Nigeria's historic ability to thrive in chaos
The Super Falcons of Nigeria avoided embarrassment against Olympic champions Canada, displaying a resolve that belied the preceding administrative problems
How the Super Falcons impressed against Canada
With a point secured against the Olympic champions, Waldrum’s troops need one more big result — with a winning outcome — to progress to the knockout rounds for the third time at the global showpiece and in consecutive finals.
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For all the pre-match doom and gloom, Canada seldom threatened as Nigeria hunkered down and conceded few clear-cut chances despite ceding possession to the favourites. Ranked 33 places above Africa’s top-ranked side heading into the competition, the Canucks found little space to cause damage to the Falcons; and when they did, wayward shooting spared Nigeria’s blushes.
Only three of Canada’s 16 attempts were on target, underlining the disappointment at not making Chiamaka Nnadozie busy between the sticks.
How Chiamaka Nnadozie impressed against Canada
The Super Falcons' shot-stopper made only three saves in 90 minutes, with two stops coming from open play. Sophie Schmidt’s volley from a disadvantaged position outside the box was stopped unconvincingly in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time; Evelyne Viens could not direct a right-footed flick past Nnadozie after the hour.
However, the most important save of the game came from 12 yards to deny Christine Sinclair, who was looking to become the first player to score at six World Cups.
It is anyone’s guess if Nnadozie got into her more experienced opponent’s head in the lead-up to the 50th-minute penalty — the Super Falcons goalkeeper had looked to psyche out Sinclair by pointing to her left (Sinclair’s right) before the Canada captain’s run-up — but the Paris FC goalkeeper got a big left hand to the weak kick and got up to palm away a possible rebound.
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The save was significant because it meant a) Waldrum was not forced into rethinking his team’s approach after the interlude, and b) Canada could not play the game on their terms.
It would be remiss to analyse Nnadozie’s performance simply through the lenses of those three saves — especially the penalty — because the Paris FC goalkeeper proactively eased the pressure on her defence when Canada laid siege. Twice in second-half stoppage time, the custodian left the goal-mouth to direct dangerous deliveries away from resulting in unfavourable outcomes for the Super Falcons, underlining the decisive nature of the 22-year-old’s performance in Melbourne.
“Chiamaka has done this before, and I will say this, and I will embarrass her in front of you all, but I think she's one of the best young goalkeepers in the world right now,” gushed Waldrum after the goalless encounter last Friday.
Effusively praising the game’s best player was par for the course, but a repeat performance by Nnadozie against co-hosts Australia on Thursday would be just what the doctor ordered.
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20:16 - 23.07.2023
Chiamaka Nnadozie: 5 interesting fact about Super Falcons goalkeeper
Chiamaka Nnadozie the Nigeria women's goalkeeper is presently making her country proud at the ongoing Women’s World Cup.
Why the Super Falcons need another top Nnadozie performance against Australia
With star player Asisat Oshoala doubtful for the game and Deborah Abiodun suspended, the Super Falcons may look to replicate a similar showing to their Canada draw. They were unlikely to deviate from that opening-day strategy against tournament co-hosts in round two anyway.
The upshot of a repeat approach means a busy defence and a busier goalkeeper on Thursday, leaving the door open to another player-of-the-match outing for Nnadozie.
Admittedly, Canada fashioned little from open play last Friday — evidenced by their non-penalty expected goals (0.7) — while Australia did not pull up trees in their tournament opener with the Republic of Ireland, claiming a 1-0 win after Steph Catley’s second-half penalty. But backed by their home support, an improved showing should be on the cards against the Super Falcons, even if they are expected to be without Samantha Kerr, arguably the competition’s best player.
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16:30 - 24.07.2023
Super Falcons: Time and Where to Watch Australia vs Nigeria 2nd World Cup group clash
It is an early morning World Cup clash! Time and Where to Watch the Host Matildas of Australia vs Super Falcons of Nigeria 2nd World Cup game
Be that as it may, Nnadozie’s performance could make or mar Nigeria’s result on Thursday.
The shot-stopper lauded the side’s determination against Canada and the team’s bond as pivotal to a creditable start to their World Cup campaign. Now the Super Falcons must prove that result was not a one-off against the tournament's co-hosts.
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