Super falcons play goaless with Portugal

 

Super Falcons Hold Portugal to Goalless Draw in Tense Pre-WAFCON Friendly

Lisbon, Portugal – The Nigeria women's national football team, the Super Falcons, played out a gritty goalless draw against Portugal in an international friendly match on Monday, June 23, 2025, in Lisbon. The encounter at the Estádio José Gomes served as a crucial part of the Super Falcons' preparations for the upcoming 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Despite arriving in Lisbon less than 24 hours before kick-off, the nine-time African champions displayed remarkable resilience and tactical discipline against a technically sound Portuguese side, who are themselves gearing up for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025.

The standout performer of the match was undoubtedly Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie. The reigning Africa's best goalkeeper produced a series of world-class saves throughout the game, particularly in the second half, to deny the Portuguese attack. Her quick reactions and excellent shot-stopping ability thwarted efforts from dangerous players like Jessica Silva, Fatima Pinto, and Andreia Norton, ensuring Nigeria maintained a clean sheet.

Portugal dominated possession for significant periods, especially in the first half, and applied high pressing tactics that often disrupted Nigeria's rhythm. The Super Falcons' midfield initially struggled to assert control, leading to some lost possession in central areas. However, the Nigerian defense, marshaled by Nnadozie and Osinachi Ohale, remained organized and compact, frustrating the hosts in the final third.

While Nigeria had fewer clear-cut chances in the opening period, they showed flashes of danger on the flanks through players like Rasheedat Ajibade and Rinsola Babajide. In the second half, substitutions including Ifeoma Onumonu, Ashleigh Plumptre (making her return from injury), and Halimatu Ayinde injected fresh energy into the Nigerian attack. Francisca Ordega came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock, rattling the crossbar with a powerful long-range effort, and also setting up Ifeoma Onumonu who narrowly missed a scoring opportunity.

The match, though goalless, provided valuable insights for Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu. The team's defensive solidity and ability to hold firm under pressure against a higher-ranked European opponent were clear positives. However, questions remain about their attacking cohesion and execution in the final third, areas that will need refinement before the WAFCON.

This draw extends the Super Falcons' unbeaten run in 2025, following a 2-0 victory over Cameroon earlier this month. The Nigerian contingent is scheduled to depart Lisbon for Casablanca on Wednesday, where they will face Ghana's Black Queens in another friendly match on Sunday, June 29. This will be their final preparatory game before their WAFCON opener against Tunisia on Sunday, July 6, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. Nigeria has been drawn in Group B of the WAFCON alongside Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria, as they aim for a record-extending tenth continental title.

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