South Africa battle Falcons to standstill
Oparanozie (right) against South Africa's Mabatle in Lagos Saturday
Beware giant killers in Fed Cup
Olympics-bound Banyana Banyana of South Africa again held
African women’s champions Nigeria to a 0-0 in a friendly in Lagos Saturday.
Earlier this month, both teams had played out a 1-1 draw in the first part of a two-legged challenge.
Nigeria assistant coach Samson Unuannel, who stood in for the ill Kadiri Ikhana, praised the performance of his team.
"It was a good game for both sides as the players played their hearts out. I am satisfied with the performance of our girls,” he told MTNFootball.com
“We are building a new team that will do us proud soon and reposition Nigeria in female football.
“Some of the girls are debutants and they did not disappoint. South Africa are a strong side too."
Banyana Banyana played a more open game after the interval and threatened the Nigeria goal.
Falcons tried to add bite to their attack with the introduction of Ebere Orji for Amanze Aighewi, but the Banyana Banyana defence marshalled by Amanda Sister was resolute till the end.
The battle of attrition between Sister and Falcons striker Desire Oparanozie was one of the highlights of this half as chances were again few and far between.
The first half was disappointing as both teams struggled to impose themselves on the game.
The best chance of the first 45 minutes was by Ngozi Ebere, whose shot from distance in the 39th minute crashed against the crossbar with the impressive Banyana goalkeeper Roxanne Barker beaten.
Falcons skipper and goalkeeper Precious Dede was forced out of the game in the 18th minute due to injury after a collision with a South Africa striker Andisiwe Mgcoyi.
The speedy Esther Sunday on the left flank as well as the misfiring Rivers Angels striker Aighewi had chances to give the home team the lead but they spurned them.
South Africa came close through their most capped player Portia Modise, who first missed by a whisker, before she also failed to connect with header when she was set free at goal eight minutes later.
Earlier this month, both teams had played out a 1-1 draw in the first part of a two-legged challenge.
Nigeria assistant coach Samson Unuannel, who stood in for the ill Kadiri Ikhana, praised the performance of his team.
"It was a good game for both sides as the players played their hearts out. I am satisfied with the performance of our girls,” he told MTNFootball.com
“We are building a new team that will do us proud soon and reposition Nigeria in female football.
“Some of the girls are debutants and they did not disappoint. South Africa are a strong side too."
Banyana Banyana played a more open game after the interval and threatened the Nigeria goal.
Falcons tried to add bite to their attack with the introduction of Ebere Orji for Amanze Aighewi, but the Banyana Banyana defence marshalled by Amanda Sister was resolute till the end.
The battle of attrition between Sister and Falcons striker Desire Oparanozie was one of the highlights of this half as chances were again few and far between.
The first half was disappointing as both teams struggled to impose themselves on the game.
The best chance of the first 45 minutes was by Ngozi Ebere, whose shot from distance in the 39th minute crashed against the crossbar with the impressive Banyana goalkeeper Roxanne Barker beaten.
Falcons skipper and goalkeeper Precious Dede was forced out of the game in the 18th minute due to injury after a collision with a South Africa striker Andisiwe Mgcoyi.
The speedy Esther Sunday on the left flank as well as the misfiring Rivers Angels striker Aighewi had chances to give the home team the lead but they spurned them.
South Africa came close through their most capped player Portia Modise, who first missed by a whisker, before she also failed to connect with header when she was set free at goal eight minutes later.
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