Olawale Ajimotokan
2 May 2011
Super Falcons are now walking on a tight rope in their bid to secure a ticket to the All Africa Games in Maputo after they were forced to a 1-1 draw by a young and vibrant Ghana team Sunday in Abuja.
The coach Uche Eucharia side disappointed the local fans who trooped to the National Stadium in expectation of a goal feast reminiscent of the manner the team ran Namibia ragged in the London 2012 Olympic qualifier last month.
Nigeria was wasteful as they failed to convert many of the chances they created.
Desire Opananozie broke the deadlock in the 81 minute with a rocket shot off a good pass by Francisca Ordega.
But the local crowd was silenced four minutes later when Ghana equalized through Grace Asore who slammed home after Precious Dede could only parry a cross in her path.
Indeed Nigeria had a rub of the green as they dominated in possession and created a number gilt edged chances. Their misery was only highlighted when towards the end of the match Oparanozie struck the post in a bid to secure the winner.
They had stared the game in the same fashion when Ebere Orji’s smasher came off the bar.
In the 15th minute, the Black Queens’ keeper Nana Asantewa foiled Nigeria by making a double save and got a knock from Desire Opanozie during the ensuing scramble.
The Falcons were palpably unfit and struggled to string their passes together.
The Ghanaians, roared on by their scanty but energetic supporters, continued to press the Nigerians on the counter.
They had the chance to break the deadlock on the 25th minute when Portier Bukye came face to face with Dede, only for her final touch let her down.
Oparanozie found Orji from the right, but left alone, the petite forward failed to make hay on the line.
After the break, Echaria tried to revitalize the Falcons’ attack by bringing Ester Sunday for Emueje Akhiagbeviha.
On the hour, Opanozie failed to connect a free kick by the lively and petit Sunday, one of the stars of Nigeria’s campaign at the FIFA U20 World Cup last year in Germany.
After the disappointing game Eucharia, whose tactical savvy has been questioned, barely mouthed an equally unconvincing assurance that the Falcons will rise to the occasion during the make or break return clash in Accra.
“We will beat them in Accra. I know we will take the battle to their homestead,” she said.
But the upbeat Queens coach, Kuuhu Dozie told the Falcons to forget strutting at the All Africa Games as Ghana is determined to clinch the honours at the reverse fixture.
“Honestly speaking Nigeria is ahead of us in African football, but having got a draw in Abuja, we have now got an inspiration from God to beat Nigeria when they turn up in Accra. Our objective is to go to the All Africa Games. Nigeria can’t stop us,” Dozie said.
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