How Olympics champions Canada, clipped Falcons’ wings in test-match

By Harry Awurumibe,  Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist

Expectedly, the reigning Olympic champions Canada on Wednesday defeated Nigeria in a closed-door friendly match played at the La Quinta Football Centre, Malaga, Spain as the Super Falcons ended their pre-games training camp in Seville on losing note.

Canada’s winning goal was scored in the 18th minute of the match as the nine-time African champions chased for an equaliser throughout the duration of the game without any luck even as Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum started his strongest squad in the tie, although without the reigning African Best Player Asisat Oshoala.

However, one of the biggest chances in the highly contested encounter fell to Paris Saint Germain (PSG) new signing Jennifer Onyinye Echegini, but she failed to make haye as Nigeria ranked 36th in the world suffered her second loss to the 8th ranked Canada in the last two years and her first loss in 2024.

Interestingly, both Nigeria and Canada head coaches had agreed before the match to

play a penalty shootout which ended 5-4 in favour of Nigeria. Nigeria’s scorers were Asisat Oshoala, Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe, Deborah Abiodun and Rasheedat Ajibade.

Prompt News reports that aside playing out 0‐0 scoreline at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in the group stage of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Canada beat Nigeria 2-0 on April 9, 2022 before settling for 2-2 draw three days later in a two-match international friendly matches in Canada.

Meanwhile, in the four matches between Nigeria and Canada which Waldrum prosecuted since taking charge of the team, his  Canadian counterpart Beverly Priestman has won two and drawn two to confirm her superiority over her opposite number going into the Paris Olympics where their ways may cross again if both countries go all the way to the semi or final of the Paris Olympics women’s football tournament.

In another development, the Super Falcons will fly out tomorrow to France to continue their preparation for the Paris Olympics just as Nigeria’s opening match comes up on July 25 against Brazil at Stade Bordeaux.