Sports
Women’s W/Cup: Falcons Open On Losing Not0065 …Go Down To France 1-0
Nigeria’s 12-year winless streak at the FIFA Women’s World Cup continued on Sunday as the Super Falcons fell 1-0 to France in the first match of the tournament.
Marie-Laure Delie poked home from close range after 56 minutes as the French held on to claim the win.
Perpetua Nkwocha, Ebere Orji and Desire Oparanozie all had chances for Nigeria but failed to take them.
Buoyed by the introduction of German assistant coach Thomas Oblias to the coaching staff, the Falcons looked more composed than usual in their defensive organisation. But the price they paid for that was sacrificng their counter-attacking verve.
Uche Eucharia’s two-strong midfield was overrun for large parts of the game, leaving the dangerous Perpetua Nkwocha isolated and with no supply.
The first chance though, did fall to her when she was played in by Gloria Iroka. Nkwocha zipped off down the right channel, but took on one player too many before being forced off the ball.
France’s response was a stunning effort from range, which produced a magical save from Nigeria captain Precious Dede. From the corner kick, Thinney struck the post as Nigeria reeled.
But the best chance of the half by far, fell to Ugochi Oparanozie. Iroka won the ball in transition, and played her in behind on a rapier-quick counter. Her pacegot her on a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but she dragged her purchase well wide when through on goal.
The Nigerian girls were hamstrung further when Faith Ikidi, who had her hands full dealing with Louisa ‘Zidane’ Necib and Sonia Bompastor on the left side, was forced off with what appeared to be stomach trouble just before half time.
The loss was immediate as the second period resumed, although Nigeria threatened first. Mbachu delivered a loping cross, goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz flapped and Wendie Renard was just on hand to head the ball clear of the lurking Ebere Orji.
And then came the breakthrough. France attacked again down the right channel, Necib delivered a superb ball into the middle, Osinachi Ohale hacked at thin air, and Delie put the ball away.
The French tired towards the end, but Nigeria failed to respond with a change in tactics, and Nigeria continue to wait to snap that losing streak since Mercy Akide’s winner earned them victory over Denmark in 1999.
Moments later, hosts Germany got off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Canada. They now lead Group A after the first round of matches.
Nigeria will now hope to claw results against Germany and then Canada to stay in the competition.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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