Super Falcons suffer first loss of the year in Canada pre-Olympics friendly
Imhonlamhen EronmhonseleKekọrịta
- Canada beat Nigeria 1-0 in Thursday's friendly
- It is Nigeria's first defeat of 2024
- The Super Falcons face Brazil in their opening game
Nigeria's Super Falcons fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Canada in a friendly match played at the La Quinta Football Centre in Malaga, Spain.
In their only preparatory match before heading to France for the 2024 Olympic Games, the Super Falcons came up short against the Concacaf representatives.
Nigeria's head coach Randy Waldrum put forward his strongest lineup for the encounter in an exciting-looking 4-4-2 diamond formation.
Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal was protected by a four-woman defence of Michelle Alozie, Chidinma Okeke, Oluwatosin Demehin, and Osinachi Ohale.
US-based Deborah Abiodun and SL Benfica star Christy Ucheibe anchored the Super Falcons' midfield just behind Jennifer Echegini and Toni Payne.
In attack, Waldrum handed starting shirts to Chinwendu Ihezuo and Atletico Madrid's Player of the Season Rasheedat Ajibade.
However, Nigeria endured a slow start to the encounter allowing Canada to open the scoring in the 18th minute.
The Super Falcons had numerous chances to equalise, with the best opening falling to Echegini, who flashed an effort against the post in the second half.
However, Canada held firm to condemn Nigeria to their first defeat in 2024. Nigeria had faced Cameroon and South Africa (twice) each this year, recording two wins and two draws.
The loss to Canada ended the Super Falcons' 15-game unbeaten run in regulation time - with the team's last defeat over 90 minutes coming against Colombia - a 1-0 friendly loss in February 2023.
In exactly eight days, Nigeria will kick off their Olympics adventure with a crucial clash against Brazil in Bordeaux.
2 comments
Well done AyoT. There was practically no info about the match except this. What I don’t understand about the formation is the role of Payne and Echegini. Looks like a 4231 to me where Payne is from the right and Ajibade from the left then echegini as CAM behind ihezuo. But ur explanation suggests Payne and echegini are CAM while ajibade and ihezuo are strikers. Better they just play with a familiar formation, otherwise they will struggle with cohesion again
I believe it a good one for the team.
For me the defeat is not really matter at this level, I know our Super Falcons will have learnt one or two things from the game and they will improve and deliver 💯 in Paris 2024.