CHIAMAKA Nnadozie was the most important player for the Super Falcons of Nigeria as they held Portugal to a 0-0 draw in a pre-Wonen’s Africa Cup of Nations friendly match in Lisbon on tonight.
The nine-time African champions only landed in Portugal less than 24 hours before the encounter, but stood up to the Portuguese and showed their readiness for the WAFCON battle in Morocco in July.
It was a mixed bag of chances early on, with a back pass by Christy Ucheibe gifting Portugal’s Diana Silva an opportunity before African Goalkeeper of the Year Nnadozie was forced into a save.
At the other end, veteran forward Francisca Ordega cut into the box and found captain Rasheedat Ajibade, whose smart turn and shot nearly wrong-footed Portugal goalkeeper Ines Pereira.
Nnadozie made more saves as Portugal piled on more pressure, including a big one in the 24th minute.
Just before half-time, the Super Falcons could have taken the lead against the run of play, but Rinsola Babajide overhit the ball from an opportunity that arose after Ordega’s last-ditch effort was blocked.
Nnadozie continued her heroics after the break, pulling off three world-class saves within four minutes, denying the dangerous Jessica Silva, Fatima Pinto and Andreia Norton.
The introduction of Ifeoma Onumonu, Ashleigh Plumptre and Halimatu Ayinde rejuvenated the Super Falcons, and Ordega rattled the crossbar from distance with 20 minutes left on the clock.
The Nigeria contingent will leave Lisbon for Casablanca on Wednesday, where they will take on Ghana’s Black Queens in another friendly match on Sunday.
The Super Falcons are in Group B with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana for the 13th WAFCON, which is scheduled for July 5 to July 26.