Nigeria vs Canada: Player Ratings: Demehin and Abiodun make impressive debuts as Nnadozie shows off captain's performance
The Super Falcons got off to a strong start in their 27th FIFA Women's World Cup match, drawing 0-0 against Olympic champions Canada.
The Nigerian side have conceded the most goals in FIFA Women's World Cup history (63), but captain and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made sure not to concede the 64th goal against Canada on July 21.
Coach Randy Waldrum replaced captain Onome Ebi with debutant Blessing Demehin, and fellow debutant Deborah Abiodun replaced suspended Halimatu Ayinde. In the attack, Ifeoma Onumonu replaced Rasheedat Ayinde suspended on the left flank.
Here are the player ratings.
Chiamaka Nnadozie [Goalkeeper] 90 minsThe 22-year-old was the hero after saving Christine Sinclair's penalty early in the second half. She also landed excellent punches from free-kicks and corners and was decisive coming off her line to give her team confidence. The penalty save was world class and the follow through on the rebound was exceptional.
Rating: 8/10
Ashleigh Plumptre [Left-Back] 90 minsThe WSL-based centre-back fulfilled his left-back role admirably, although he left gaps when he occasionally joined the attack.
Rating: 6/10
Osinachi Ohale [Centre-back] 90 mins
A calming influence on her rookie partner, and she reads the bullets well to make crucial interventions when needed.
Rating: 7/10
Blessing Demehin [Centre-back] 90 minsSome errors crept into her game late on, but she more than held her own in individual situations and adapted well to her more experienced partner.
Rating: 6.5/10
Michelle Alozie [Right file] 90 minutesThe USA-based defender gave an energetic performance, although she could have been more effective in the final third when she found herself in promising positions.
Rating: 6.5/10
Ifeoma Onumonu [Left winger] 85 minsGangly Onumonu netted Nigeria's first shot on target and tried to create goalscoring chances for Oshoala. She looked more in tune with a central role than on the flanks, but she was solid defensively.
Rating: 6.5/10
Toni Payne [Middle] 90 minsNigerian midfielder and quiet bandleader. She buzzed the whole game and took nearly every set piece.
Rating: 7.5/10
Christy Ucheibe [Middle] 90 minsA foundation upon which Nigeria's defensive plan rested and she was athletic and physical. Although she would have liked to circulate the ball better, she closed spaces until the end.
Rating: 7.5/10
Deborah Abiodun [Middle] 90 minsDespite the late red card, 19-year-old Abiodun played like a veteran. She wasn't afraid to get on the ball or get stuck when her team needed it - a great addition to the team.
Rating: 7.5/10
Francisca Ordega [Right winger] 73 minsNot a great performance from...
The Super Falcons got off to a strong start in their 27th FIFA Women's World Cup match, drawing 0-0 against Olympic champions Canada.
The Nigerian side have conceded the most goals in FIFA Women's World Cup history (63), but captain and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made sure not to concede the 64th goal against Canada on July 21.
Coach Randy Waldrum replaced captain Onome Ebi with debutant Blessing Demehin, and fellow debutant Deborah Abiodun replaced suspended Halimatu Ayinde. In the attack, Ifeoma Onumonu replaced Rasheedat Ayinde suspended on the left flank.
Here are the player ratings.
Chiamaka Nnadozie [Goalkeeper] 90 minsThe 22-year-old was the hero after saving Christine Sinclair's penalty early in the second half. She also landed excellent punches from free-kicks and corners and was decisive coming off her line to give her team confidence. The penalty save was world class and the follow through on the rebound was exceptional.
Rating: 8/10
Ashleigh Plumptre [Left-Back] 90 minsThe WSL-based centre-back fulfilled his left-back role admirably, although he left gaps when he occasionally joined the attack.
Rating: 6/10
Osinachi Ohale [Centre-back] 90 mins
A calming influence on her rookie partner, and she reads the bullets well to make crucial interventions when needed.
Rating: 7/10
Blessing Demehin [Centre-back] 90 minsSome errors crept into her game late on, but she more than held her own in individual situations and adapted well to her more experienced partner.
Rating: 6.5/10
Michelle Alozie [Right file] 90 minutesThe USA-based defender gave an energetic performance, although she could have been more effective in the final third when she found herself in promising positions.
Rating: 6.5/10
Ifeoma Onumonu [Left winger] 85 minsGangly Onumonu netted Nigeria's first shot on target and tried to create goalscoring chances for Oshoala. She looked more in tune with a central role than on the flanks, but she was solid defensively.
Rating: 6.5/10
Toni Payne [Middle] 90 minsNigerian midfielder and quiet bandleader. She buzzed the whole game and took nearly every set piece.
Rating: 7.5/10
Christy Ucheibe [Middle] 90 minsA foundation upon which Nigeria's defensive plan rested and she was athletic and physical. Although she would have liked to circulate the ball better, she closed spaces until the end.
Rating: 7.5/10
Deborah Abiodun [Middle] 90 minsDespite the late red card, 19-year-old Abiodun played like a veteran. She wasn't afraid to get on the ball or get stuck when her team needed it - a great addition to the team.
Rating: 7.5/10
Francisca Ordega [Right winger] 73 minsNot a great performance from...
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