Super Falcons of Nigeria put in a resilient performance to hold Portugal to a goalless draw in a friendly encounter played in Lisbon on Monday evening.
Despite both teams failing to find the back of the net, the contest provided plenty of positives for head coach Justine Madugu, whose side looked organised at the back and increasingly dangerous going forward.
The game kicked off with the Super Falcons donning their away colours and immediately asserting their presence. The opening 20 minutes saw both sides feel each other out, with neither able to carve out a clear-cut opportunity.
Nigeria’s defence, marshalled by Chiamaka Nnadozie and Osinachi Ohale, stood firm under early Portuguese pressure.
The best chance of the first half fell to Portugal, but Nnadozie was alert, making a smart save to keep the scores level.
At the other end, Nigeria’s attacking quartet, led by Rasheedat Ajibade and Francisca Ordega, looked lively but were unable to break through.
After a goalless first half, the intensity ramped up in the second period. Nigeria started to grow in confidence, pushing further up the pitch in search of a breakthrough.
The moment of the match came in the 80th minute when Ordega spotted the Portuguese goalkeeper off her line and attempted an audacious long-range effort.
The ball looked destined for the net but crashed off the crossbar, leaving Nigeria agonisingly close to a late winner.
Portugal also had their moments, but Nnadozie and the Nigerian backline remained composed and unyielding.
Despite five minutes of stoppage time, neither side could find the winning goal, and the match ended in a hard-fought 0-0 stalemate.
The result extends the Super Falcons’ unbeaten run in 2024 and gives Madugu more to ponder ahead of the team’s next friendly against Ghana’s Black Queens on June 29 in Morocco.
