The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has heaped praises on the Super Falcons of Nigeria team despite the team crashing out of the 2023 Women’s World Cup tournament on Monday.
It would be recalled that the ten-woman Lionesses of England beat the Super Falcons of Nigeria in the round of 16 of the 2023 Women’s World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand via penalties to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament.
From the start of the fiercely contested encounter to the end, both teams showed that they were in for a long ride and ready to grab the win. However, one team must win and the other must be knocked out.
The first half of the keenly contested match ended in a barren draw as anticipated by most football enthusiasts.
In the second half, the intense battle became fiercer than the second half as both sides pushed for the winner while also being cautious going forward.
Just like in the group stage match between the tournament’s co-hosts in which Asisat Oshoala of the Super Falcons was introduced into the game in the second half and scored in Nigeria’s 3-2 win, Coach Randy Waldrum decided to introduce her into today’s game in the second half (58th minute). But her introduction didn’t change much as the Lionesses continued to look more promising in attack.
In the 86th minute, England’s Lauren James was shown a red card after a VAR intervention. Referee Melissa Borjas first showed her a yellow card which was the first booking of the game for stamping on Michelle Alozie.
The first half of the extra time ended in a goalless draw as the two sides entered into the second half of the extra time with intense tension. After two big chances from both sides and over 120 minutes of intense football, the game ended goalless.
Hence, the thrilling encounter was settled via penalties as ten-woman England knocked out the Super Falcons of Nigeria 4-2 at the end of the shootout.
Reacting shortly after the game ended, the NFF via its official Twitter account said the Nigerian ladies performed brilliantly and should have their heads up.
The statement added that Nigerians are super proud of the ladies and there are more beautiful chapters to write.
The federation wrote: “Heads up ladies!
“Nigeria is super proud of you.
“The journey doesn’t end here.
“We have more beautiful chapters to write.”
