Super Falcons in Round of 16 with barren draw with Ireland
Super Falcons are in the round of 16 of the 2023 Women’s World Cup having ended their last group game with Ireland goalless.
The draw with Ireland ensured that the Super Falcons shared a point each with their opponents and made history as a team that did not experience defeat in three consecutive World Cup matches for the first time.
The Falcons had to endure an early minute of pressure from the Irish captain, Katie McCabe, who almost gave her side the lead when she attempted a low driving show which fizzled past the post.
However, in the 14th minute, Asisat Oshoala had the chance to put Nigeria in the lead after Kanu picked up a misplaced pass, which efforts by the Barcelona forward whistled past the left post.
The Nigerians failed to maintain any form of dominance in possession as Angela Platt’s team continued to make their intentions known but were guilty of being lethargic at goal.
Super Falcons came out with some change in pace and urgency in attack. It didn’t take them too long with Tony Payne who has been a revelation in the tournament whipped as a teasing ball into the box from the left.
Payne got up well to head it from close range but the Northern Ireland shot-stopper Brosan pulled off a superb save to deflect the ball onto the crossbar.
Michelle Alozie continued to make a nuisance of the Irish defence by whipping the ball into the box from the byline, but there were no Nigerian players to meet it.
The Super Falcons will face the winner of Group D in the last 16.
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