SportsSuper Falcons End Austrian Camping With 1-0 Victory Over Slovenian Club

Super Falcons End Austrian Camping With 1-0 Victory Over Slovenian Club

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July 24, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, the Super Falcons, wrapped up their summer camp training in Vienna, Austria, with a lone goal victory in an unofficial match against Olimpija Lubijana, a professional football club based in the Slovenian city of Lubijana and competing in the highest division of Slovenian football, the PrvaLiga.

The decisive goal against the Slovenian giants was scored by Super Falcons’ returnee Desire Oparanozie after only 16 minutes of her restoration to the starting lineup of the Randy Waldrum squad. The Slovenians threw away a chance to draw level from a spot-kick later in the match.

Apart from Oparanozie, striker Ngozi Okobi and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie also had the opportunity to be assessed for the first time this year after missing out of the action in the Gold City Tournament in Antalya, Turkey in February and the 2021 WNT Summer Series in May.

There was a composed fluidity of controlled movements by the midfield and forward line that showed a sense of good rapport between Nnadozie Chiamaka, Glory Ogbonna, Akudo Ogbonna and new girl, Megan Ashleigh Plumptre, who was making her debut for Nigeria.

The understanding they displayed as they kept possession of the ball for the initial 10 mins of the game was lovely to follow. When they ventured goal-wards, they caused problems for Olimpija. It was only fitting that a goal came from the high press of the Falcons. Oparanozie was brought down near goal and a free kick was given.

The striker got up, dusted herself off and took the resultant free-kick herself. After an initial dummy initiated by Plumptre to distract the opposing defense, Oparanozie aimed her free-kick for the top corner of the net to beat the ball and hit the target for the goal.

Before the match had reached the half hour mark, the Falcons could have doubled their lead and Oparanozie could have been on a brace if her 25th minute chance had gone in. But, the ball struck the woodwork instead and went wide, so the two sides went into the break with the one goal difference.

In the second period, Waldrum introduced goalkeeper Yewande Balogun for Chiamaka, and Bayelsa Queens midfielder Joy Bokiri came in for Rita Chikwelu of Madrid CFF.

The moment for an equaliser for the Slovenian club came in the 70th minute. Ashleigh, who had had a fair game so far in the defense, collided with her marker enough for the referee to award Olimpija a penalty. However, it was a lost opportunity as the resultant spotkick was shot high over the bar.

More substitutions by Waldrum followed to afford other players an opportunity to feature. FC Robo striker Gift Monday was introduced for Uchenna Kanu of Swedish side Linkopings, Okeke Chidinma of FC Robo was withdrawn to pave the way for Nicole Payne of the collegiate side West Virginia Mountaineers.

The Falcons had the ball in the net again with three minutes of regulation time left but the goal from Atletico Madrid Femenino’s Rasheedat Ajibade’s was ruled out as offside by the referee.

It ended with that lone Oparanozie first half goal alone and the nine-time African champions ended their eight-day training camp in Austria on that note. They will now look forward to reconvening for the Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament slated for September in Lagos, Nigeria.

About the Author

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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

Jude Obafemi, THEWILLhttps://thewillnews.com
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

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