Nigerian have expressed mixed feelings after the Super Falcons of Nigeria started their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand with a goalless draw against Olympic champions, Canada.

Reacting to the result, Sports Analyst Adewale Ferguson says "The result is one I feel the team can build on, it is not easy to play a team like Canada remember we beat them one nil the last time we met at the world cup level and lost during one of the friendlies but a point is better than none, we have relatively had a fair result against Canada and this can be excused".

A football fan, Segun Lawson is not happy with the sending off incident, "I am not too happy with how the game ended, I feel the red card incident may affect the team in the next game".

Broadcast Journalist Olalekan Yusuff commended the tactics of the Nigerian Coach which he believes affected the style of play of the North Americans. "Considering the pedigree and the recent run of form of both teams, football enthusiasts did not give the Nigerians a chance in this game. 

"However, the conservative approach of the Randy Waldrum led side made life difficult for the Canadians who lost a golden opportunity to go ahead from the penalty spot but the composure and brilliance of Paris FC goalkeeer, Chiamaka Nnadozie proved to be a stumbling block for the 7th ranked women’s team in the world." 

The Nigerians created very few chances no thanks to the lack of adequate supply from the midfielders." says Yusuff.

The Broadcaster spotted the immense contribution of two key players in the game against the Canadians.

"It was a decent first game for the Falcons owing to the quality of the opponent, with outstanding performances from players like the recipient of the woman of the match award, Chiamaka Nnadozie who saved the blushes of Nigerians".

"Another player who shone brightly is the 19 year-old Abiodun Deborah who was mercurial in the middle of park and creating enough shield for the Nigerian backline. She reminds me of the diminutive Efioanwan Ekpo. Deborah is definitely a star to watch. She will be sorely missed in the game against the Matildas of Australia." 

Access24 News reports that in the first half of the match, the Nigerian ladies went close in the 23rd minute with the opener, when Ifeoma Onumonu had her well-taken shot parried away by goalkeeper, Kailen Sheridan.

Goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie turned the heroine of the match played in Brisbane after saving Christine Sinclair’s penalty early in the second half.

The second half began on a disappointing note for the Falcons when the referee awarded a penalty for Canada after Francisca Ordega brought down Christine Sinclair in the box.

In the 98th minute, Deborah Abiodun was shown a straight card after consultation with VAR for a bad tackle on Ashley Lawrence.

The result means after three meetings, the Super Falcons are still unbeaten against Canada at the women’s World Cup (one win and two draws).