– Onyekachi Osondu, ABH Press
“Ten-man” Super Falcons were pipped 1-0 by the host nation, France, at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the Roazhon Park, Rennes.
It took a remarkable six-minute period in the second half for what had been a largely uneventful Women’s World Cup match to come to life in Rennes as France beat Nigeria 1-0 in dramatic fashion.
Nigerian defender Ngozi Ebere had brought Viviane Asseyi of France down inside the box in the 75th minute, leaving the referee with little option but to award the spot kick after a VAR check.
Ebere was subsequently shown a red card for a second bookable offense. French defender, Wendie Renard missed her first kick, but referee Melissa Paola Borjas Pastrana ordered for it to be retaken, while showing a yellow card to the 18-year old Nigerian Keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie for not keeping a foot on the line after further consultation with the VAR.
Renard retook the penalty and this time dispatched her effort with aplomb to give the hosts what proved to be the match-winning goal.
18-year-old Nnadozie, who became the youngest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at a World Cup in Nigeria’s victory over South Korea, stood up to whatever came her way, until the teenager suffered a harsh lesson on the biggest stage of all.
Now Nigeria will have to wait to know their faith if they will qualify as one of the best four losers for the knock out round.
Nigeria (if they qualify), they will face either Germany who are top group B already or Italy who are top of Group C.
