Idah Peterside, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper, has lauded the Super Falcons for their stunning triumph against Australia in the Women’s World Cup on Thursday.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Peterside expressed that the Nigerian female team’s victory against the tournament’s co-host has rekindled joy and excitement among Nigerian football fans.
‘We are all excited and the beauty of the victory of yesterday is that it’s been a long time, whether the female team or the male team that Nigerians have been excited like this. We have always been used to this kind of joy and happiness and we have not seen that in a long time, but yesterday was something unbelievable.’
‘It all reminded us of the 1994 Super Eagles; it reminded us of years back when we used to get so excited about this game.’
‘And again, kudos to these girls, no one ever believed at the beginning of the game, I was expecting that we will lose 4-0, 3-0, we were just praying that the goals will be very few, but they shocked us, we are so excited that hope has come back to Nigerian football,’ Peterside said.
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The Super Falcons exhibited their fighting spirit in a Group B clash at the 2023 Women’s World Cup on Thursday, rallying from a goal deficit to claim a 3-2 triumph over Australia, elevating them to the top position in the group with 4 points.
In the dying minutes of added time, Emily Van Egmund capitalised on a poor clearance from the Nigerians, granting the Matildas an advantage. However, Coach Randy Waldrum’s team responded swiftly, managing to equalise the scoreline within minutes.
Thanks to a brilliant assist from Rasheedat Ajibade, where Uchenna Kanu skillfully manoeuvres to hit the back of the Australians’ net.
With that goal, both teams entered the tunnel at halftime with the match level. As the Australians sought a second goal, it turned out that the Super Falcons found the back of the net in the 65th minute when Osinachi Ohale taking advantage of the Australian keeper’s inability to clear Ajibade’s header, and scored a header.
The Nigerian coach’s well-timed double substitution proved effective as, before the goal, Ifeoma Onumonu was brought in for Uchenna Kanu, and Asisat Oshoala stepped in to replace Esther Okoronkwo.
Just minutes after stepping onto the field, Oshoala responded to her critics by exploiting a defensive scramble and finding the back of the net, securing her first goal of the tournament.
Undaunted by the two-goal difference, the Maltidas showcased their determination, pressing on in their quest for a turnaround. The tournament co-hosts launched a spirited attack to revive their campaign. However, Chiamaka Nnadozie, the Nigerian goalkeeper, stood tall, effectively thwarting the Australians’ advances.
Just before the final whistle in added time, the home team managed to salvage some pride with a consolation goal courtesy of Alanna Kennedy.