Tonight, the Super Falcons put up a battling performance in Lisbon to hold hosts Portugal to a scoreless draw in a 2024 WAFCON warm-up.
It was not a vintage team play by the Super Falcons, but they did just enough to get a result against a very determined home team.
The nine-time Africans suffered a huge turnover as they lost possession cheaply, relied more on the individual brilliance of captain Rasheedat Ajibade and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and quick counters to keep up with Portugal.
Right from the first half, Nnadozie kept Nigeria in the game with a couple of saves.
She continued her heroics after the break, making successives saves in the 52nd and 54th minutes after Portugal pushed for an opening goal.
Interestingly, against the run of play Nigeria saw an audacious effort come off the crossbar in the 79th minute with the Portugal goalkeeper completely beaten.
The team under the guidance of coach Justine Madugu remain unbeaten their buildup to the WAFCON after they beat Cameroon 2-0 at home in another test game.
Next week Sunday, the Super Falcons will tackle the Black Queens of Ghana in a final WAFCON warm-up in Morocco before their opening game against Tunisia on July 6 in Casablanca.
Super Falcons Starting XI: Nnadozie – Usani (Plumptre 60), Oladipo, Ohale, Demehin – Ucheibe, Echegini (Ayinde 60), Babajide (Onumonu 60), Ordega (Sikiratu Isah 88), Payne – Ajibade (Captain)
