Nigeria’s Super Falcons Suffered 2-0 Defeat To Canada in Friendly

Nigeria’s Super Falcons suffered a 2-0 defeat to Canada in an international friendly played in the early hours of Saturday, April 9, 2022, at the BC Place Stadium, Vancouver.

The reigning African champions faced an uphill task to defeat Canada the sixth ranked team in women’s football.

Canada are also the reigning Olympic women’s football champions following their triumph against Sweden in Tokyo 2020.

The African champions played without Barcelona Femeni star Asisat Oshoala and were captained by Onome Ebi.

Randy Waldrum’s team started with Ifeoma Onumonu and Uchenna Kanu leading the attack.

The first half was tightly contested with chances for both teams with the Falcons defending very well to see both teams level at the halftime break.

The home side controlled the majority of the action across the first half but Labbe was pressed into action in the 28th minute.

Rasheedat Ajibade broke through the Canadian defence and sent a rocket flying from the top of the box but Labbe dove to make a fingertip save and keep the score knotted at 0-0.

Canada had a prime chance in the 19th minute when Beckie sent a cross into Sinclair in the box. The captain went for a header and sent a shot into Oluehi’s midsection from just outside the six-yard box.

The hosts would start the second half well and went in front when Jessie Fleming converted a cutback by Deanne Rose in the 50th minute.

Vanessa Gilles scored the second in the 72nd minute after a scramble from a corner.

Jordyn Huitema got a head on the ball, sending it in to Gilles, who headed it in past Falcons ‘keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Oluehi was replaced in net by Nnadozie in the 70th minute after appearing to suffer an injury.

Super Falcons of Nigeria suffered a 2-0 loss to Canada in a friendly

Despite other scoring chances Falcons fought hard to prevent Canada from scoring more goals as they game ended in a 2-0 defeat.

Nigeria will now take on Canada in a rematch in a second encounter scheduled for Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

Meanwhile, two Falcons players were taken off the field on stretchers. Ebi Onome left the game in the 59th minute and Grace Kanu in the 80th minute of the encounter.