The Super Falcons today stunned co-host Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup after coming from behind to win 3-2 at Brisbane Stadium on Thursday.
In a dramatic end to the first half, Emily Van Egmond gave Australia the lead but Nigeria to equalised before the half-time whistle and then score twice in the second half to secure victory in Group B.
The victory is Super Falcons win at the 2023 edition of the tournament after their opener against Canada ended in a barren draw.
Australia edged ahead in the first minute of added time at the end of the first half.
Van Egmond guided her shot beyond Chiamaka Nnadozie following Caitlin Foord’s low cross into the penalty area. But Nigeria equalised in the sixth minute of added time.
This was when Rasheedat Ajibade’s shot deflected towards the far post to Uchenna Kanu, who placed her shot through Steph Catley’s legs and beyond Mackenzie Arnold.
Asisat Oshoala’s introduction in the 63rd minute immediately unsettled the Australian defence and Nigeria forged ahead two minutes later when Osinachi Ohale, who was hurt in the process, headed in at the far post after Ajibade’s header was pushed away by Arnold.
Oshoala’s presence unsettled Australia again on 72 minutes as she scored Nigeria’s third goal from a tight angle following a mix-up between Alanna Kennedy and Arnold.
Kennedy pulled a goal back deep into added time, but the defeat means Australia go into their final group game needing a win against Canada to guarantee a place in the last 16.
Credible News reports that Oshoala becomes the first Nigerian player to score in three Women’s World Cups.
Australia’s captain, Steph Catley, who rued her team’s missed goal scoring opportunities expressed disappointment at the result, adding that the Super Falcons took their chances and deserved to win.
“Obviously extremely disappointed. I think this was a massive opportunity for us that we obviously let slide, but it’s tournament football, and this sort of thing happens.
“It was definitely not our best performance. We created a lot of opportunities that we potentially could have finished – I haven’t seen the statistics, but I assume we had a fair few shots.
“If some of those go in, maybe it’s a different story, but they, Nigeria, were great on the counter, and they finished their chances”, she said.
Meaanwhile, Nigerian are hailing the Super Falcons of Nigeria after the team defeated their Australian counterparts at the ongoing Women World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The Super Falcons had on Thursday humiliated their Australian counterparts by 3-2 in front of their fans in the second group B match to go top of the group.
In Enugu, Samuel Aniegbo said he was happy for the team and advised them to keep their heads cool and take every match as it comes.
“I am very happy because Australia is a big and experienced team. For Nigeria to defeat them is a no mean fit” he said.
Aniegbo tasked the team to do Nigeria and Africa proud by going ahead to win their next game and probably come first in the group.
Emma Nweze, a sports writer described the team as resilient and tough. He commended the team handlers for nurturing the team, adding that the team would restore the confidence of many Nigerians to start watching Nigerian national teams again.
Ngozi Anichukwi, a female footballer said that the girls have the confidence to go up to the finals. “I trust my people, they will go far”, she said.
Another sports writer, Nnamdi Odowike lauded the ladies’ efforts. “They were fantastic, I did not expect this performance. They have made us proud,” he said.
