Nigeria’s Super Falcons battled Portugal to a goalless draw in an international friendly at the Estadio Jose Gomes in Lisbon on Monday night. Portugal were unable to find the back of the net in the encounter, which forms part of the Falcons’ preparations for next month’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The match grew more intense around the 30-minute mark, with Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, the reigning African Goalkeeper of the Year, making a series of crucial saves to deny the Portuguese side. Nigeria’s attacking moments came in bursts, as Francisca Ordega and Rasheedat Ajibade consistently threatened Portugal, who are ranked 22nd in the world, 14 places above the Falcons.
The Falcons finished the first half strongly, although Rinsola Babajide narrowly missed a close-range effort. Just two minutes after the restart, Everton’s Toni Payne wasted a golden chance to put Nigeria ahead. Payne, brilliantly set up by Captain Ajibade, fired wide from inside the penalty area.
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Following the miss, Portugal began to dominate possession, but Nnadozie remained alert, producing another outstanding save to keep the score level. Head coach Justine Madugu made a triple substitution around the 60th minute, introducing Ifeoma Onumonu, Ashleigh Plumptre, and Halimat Ayinde for Babajide, Miracle Usani, and Jennifer Echegini.
The substitutes brought fresh energy to Nigeria’s attack. Ordega struck the woodwork with 10 minutes remaining, and Onumonu went close five minutes later but failed to convert Ordega’s dangerous cross. The Super Falcons are scheduled to face the Black Queens of Ghana in their next friendly on Sunday. Nigeria will open their WAFCON campaign against Tunisia on 6 July.
