By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Reigning African champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria bounced back from last Friday’s defeat to grind out a 2-2 draw against hosts, Canada National Women’s Team (WNT) early Tuesday morning in the second of the two-match international friendlies at Langford Starlight Stadium on Vancouver Island.
Wounded Super Falcons showed that they were not in Vancouver to admire the skyscrapers as they took the early lead in the tie after the new kid on the block and team’s leading goalscorer, Ifeoma Onumonu scored in the 5′ to destabilise the home team.
However, Canada’s Golden-girl and all-time goalscorer, Christine Sinclair hit back in 49′ to equalise for her country but junior international and Spain-based attacking midfielder, Rasheedat Ajibade restored Nigeria’s lead in 53′.
The Super Falcons stretched the North Americans in the better part of the highly tactical match and were cruising to a big win before Shelina Zadorsky tied the game with only two minutes to the regulation time. She scored in the 88′.
It was a good result for Super Falcons Head Coach Randy Waldrum and his girls in the face of the unavailability of about five key players he invited for the two-match international friendlies in Vancouver.
Super Falcons Startlist:
No. Name
-16 Chiamaka Nnadozie
-5 Onome Ebi 62’Y
-4 Ashleigh Plumptre
-6 Uchenna Kanu
-7 Toni Payne
-2 Michelle Alozie
84′, sub-21 Nicole Payne
-10 Rita Chikwelu
75′, sub-18 Peace Efih
-14 Christy Ucheibe
-15 Rasheedat Ajibade 53′-goal
-17 Francisca Ordega 90’+3′, sub-19 Akudo Ogbonna
-8 Ifeoma Onumonu 5′-goal
Substitutes:
-20 Amanda Mbadi
-23 Yewande Balogun
-22 Onyi Echegini
-1 Tochukwu Oluehi
Venue: Starlight Stadium, Langford, Canada
Referee: Crystal Sobers
