23rd June, 2012
Sunday Akintoye
Super Falcons of Nigeria Saturday evening recorded a disappointing goalless draw against the Banyana Banyana of South Africa in an international friendly match played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
The friendly was part of South Africa’s preparation for the female football event of London 2012 Olympic Games scheduled to hold next month.
The Banyana Banyana, who have been in camp for about seven months, held the Falcons to a similar draw when both teams clashed in the first leg of the friendly in South Africa about three weeks ago.
The visitors put up an impressive defensive show, which prevented the Nigerian team from scoring in the encounter watched by an average crowd.
The Falcons, who had better possession of the ball throughout the tie, missed several goal scoring chances through Desire Oparanozie, Esther Sunday and Stella Mbachu.
Chief Coach, Kadiri Ikhana was not on the bench to tutor the Falcons due to ill-health, but his assistant, Samson Unuanel, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the squad.
In his post match reaction, Unuanel said both teams played good football, noting that the Falcons had an upper hand but were unlucky to convert their chances before the final whistle.
“I am not disappointed with the result. I know that Nigerians expected much from the ladies but they should also not forget that the team are still in a rebuilding process,” he said.
Meanwhile South Africa Coach, Joseph Nkhonza praised his team for their performance. He said the result against Nigeria showed that his team are ready for the Olympic Games.
Nigeria’s male and female teams failed to make the London Olympics during the African qualifying series.