Super Falcons fall to Jamaica in Summer Series opener

Nigeria’s Super Falcons fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Reggae Girlz of Jamaica, thanks to a crisp strike from inside the penalty area early in the second half.

Coach Randy Waldrum and the Super Falcons were missing a number of regulars, including captain Asisat Oshoala, Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Haleemat Ayinde and goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie. The Super Falcons starting XI contained four debutants, including striker Roosa Ariyo, Oluwatosin Dimehin, Onyinyechi Zogg and Vivian Ikechukwu. The Jamaicans started the game on the front foot against a Nigerian side that lacked coherence and could have been in front after they were awarded a penalty following a Glory Ogbonna foul, but goalkeeper Oluehi saved from Deneisha Blackwood. Blackwood eventually scored the lone goal of the game for Jamaica in the 51st minute, finishing high into the net from an angle.

It was a below-par performance from the Super Falcons, but this could be attributed to the lack of chemistry between the players as they lost their first game since 2019. Coach Waldrum after the game praised the second-half performance, stating that he had seen quite a number of pleasing things from his girls. Nigeria next take on Portugal on Sunday in the second game of the tournament.