Nigeria’s Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum has expressed delight and pride in the ability of the team after a spirited comeback to earn a last gasp draw against European side, Portugal.
Super Falcons avoided a second consecutive loss after forcing Portugal to a 3-3 draw at BBVA Stadium on Monday morning.
The West Africans went into the game at the back of their narrow loss to Jamaica last Thursday, but they were fortunate to avoid another embarrassing defeat.
The Africa champions came from behind to earn a 3-3 draw in a thrilling encounter at the BBVA stadium in their second game of the summer series tour of the United States.
The first goal of the game came in the 21st minute when Chidinma Okeke turned the ball into her own net.
The Francisco Neto’s side doubled their lead in the 34th minute when Carole Costa beat goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi from an acute angle.
Nigeria reduced the deficit a few minutes to the end of the first half, though one of the new players in the squad Michelle Alozie.
Portugal regained their two goals lead when Telma Encarnacao found the back of the net three minutes after the restart, but Diana Gomes gave the Falcons lifeline when she turned the ball into her own net, and four minutes later.
Falcons managed to avoid another as Atletico Madrid midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade snatched a late equalizer for the West Africans.
Waldrum speaking after the game praised the resolve of the ladies not to give up in the encounter after trailing 2-0 and 3-1 at different times in the game respectively. He added that the game has shown that the team can continue to improve as a group.
The Super Falcons will play host country United States in their next outing on June 17.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
