By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Reigning African Best Goalkeeper Chiamaka Cynthia Nnadozie was at her lowest point in her rising football career on Wednesday after she let in five goals in Paris Football Club’s 0-5 loss to Manchester City in their Women’s Champions League (WCL) second qualifying round, first leg match at Stade Sebastien-Charlety, Paris.
It was a one-sided encounter as the visiting Manchester City put their hosts to the sword by dominating play and raiding Paris FC goal area constantly resulting to the heavy defeat despite the absence of the visitors’ topscorer and Jamaica’s striker Khadija Shaw who did not make it to France because of visa issues.
However, in her absence, City squad’s strength in depth in attack was clear to see as they confidently put five goals past Paris FC, the side that finished third in France’s top division last season, thanks to goals scored by Vivianne Miedema (36′), Jess Park (38′, 58′),
Mary Fowler (49′) and Chloe Kelly (79′) respectively.
It was not supposed to be so comfortable for Gareth Taylor’s side away from home as this match-up had all the hallmarks of the proverbial banana skin for Manchester City, against a Paris FC side who remarkably knocked both Arsenal and the 2023 finalists Wolfsburg out of this competition during the qualifying rounds last season, before going on to beat Real Madrid at home and away during the group stage.
But it was not to be this season as Nnadozie endured many embarrassing moments during the match as she was caught off guard several times in the game, although she was neither at her best nor protected by her defenders, a situation which resulted to the floodgate of goals on the night.
By the big win, Manchester City all but secured their place in the 2024/25 Women’s Champions League group stages as they demonstrated their class with a resounding away victory in the first leg of their qualifying tie against the French side Paris FC.
Meanwhile, it will take a miracle for Paris FC to outscore Manchester City in the return leg tie in England to secure a passage to the group stage when both meet again.
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