Africa has finally arrived at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup thanks to the Nigeria women’s national football team, the Super Falcons who thrashed hosts Australia 3-2 in front of their fans at a packed Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Nigeria is now top of Group B thanks to their superior goal difference over Canada, who led the group until the final whistle blast in the Super Falcons vs Matildas game.
Nigeria is yet to confirm their qualification status, however, but they will go into the Ireland game with full confidence as Canada and Australia battle to cancel each other out.
What a performance. What a result. 👏🇳🇬@NGSuper_Falcons | #FIFAWWC
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 27, 2023
Australia 2–3 Nigeria: The match as it happened
Nigerian fans were worried when star striker Asisat Oshoala was named on the bench for the Super Falcons.
The Australians were also without three key players including Chelsea star and team captain Samantha Kerr, who was nursing a knock. Randy Waldrum lined up his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Ifeoma Onumonu as the lone striker this time around.
Francisca Ordega was sent to the bench in favour of Uchenna Kanu, who scored Nigeria’s first goal at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup. Rasheedat Ajibade got her first taste of World Cup action, coming in to replace Oshoala but taking up Onumonu’s spot on the wings while the Gotham FC forward played up front.
Rasheedat Ajibade! We already knew this but you're a ballerrrrr!!!!!!! #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/lgMZ3CkWAW
— Biola Solace-Chukwu (@Beeorlicious) July 27, 2023
Australia created some good chances in the first half through Arsenal forward Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley. Both players troubled the backline of Tosin Demehin and Osinachi Ohale and tested Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal. The Paris FC goalkeeper was up to the task, however, as she continues to make a case for goalkeeper of the tournament in the group stages.
It was not until the closing stages of the first half that they broke through. Emily van Egmond placed the ball past Nnadozie, whose fingertip poke was not enough to turn the ball away from the net. Less than a minute later, Rasheedat Ajibade broke through on the left and her deflected shot fell to Uchenna Kanu, who placed the ball in the bottom corner to send the match to half-time at 1-1.
Ohale gave Nigeria the lead in the 65th minute with a brave header from a scramble at the Australians’ far post. In the 72nd minute, Oshoala, who came on for Onumonu, scored after a defensive error from Australia’s Alanna Kennedy and Mackenzie Arnold to stun the 49,000 fans at the stadium in Brisbane.
Asisat Oshoala becomes the first Nigerian to score at three different editions of the #FIFAWWC
Agba Baller 🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/aSZP1jDOkO
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) July 27, 2023
Australia managed to pull a goal back in 100th minute of the game, but it was too little, too late.
The win was the Super Falcons’ first in a World Cup match which saw them come from behind to claim a victory.
Oshoala’s goal which proved to be the winner was her third in as many competitions, tying the record number of goals for the Super Falcons at the World Cup.
Best pictures from Australia vs Super Falcons at the FIFA WWC AUS/NZ
Many interesting moments were captured by the photographers on duty at the Group C clash between Australia and Nigeria. See some of them below.
Stay tuned to Goalball Live for excellent coverage on the African teams at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 months ago
