31st July, 2023
The Super Falcons of Nigeria reached the knockout stage of the female World Cup on Monday after playing a goalless draw with Republic of Ireland.
Host Australia topped Group B with six points after hammering Canada 4-0, with Nigeria coming second with five points, but remain unbeaten.
A victory for Nigeria against Ireland would have made them top the group. Nigeria themselves nearly got off to a perfect start when Asisat Oshoala broke free in behind the Irish defence. However, her effort was unusually wayward, letting the already eliminated Ireland off the hook as they continued their search for a first-ever WWC point.
Goalmouth action was certainly at a premium before the break, but with Nigeria looking fairly comfortable in the group’s second place, the pressure was off them a little, though they would undoubtedly have been acutely aware of the permutations needed to top the group.
In spite of that incentive, Flashscore reports that Nigeria’s opening to the second half was largely uninspiring and were in fact indebted to a last-ditch Oluwatosin Demehin block to deny Katie McCabe an almost certain opener.
The game was still hanging in the balance entering the final stages, and with Australia holding a healthy lead against Canada, Nigeria simply needed a goal to snatch top spot.
The Falcons could not force the issue and were forced to settle for a goalless draw that ensured they finish the group in second place and must now wait patiently to await who they will face in the last-16.