The Flamingoes of Nigeria extended their unbeaten run in preparation for the 2014 FIFA U17 women World Cup in Costa Rica after they played out a goalless draw against Belgium counterparts in an international friendly match in Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday.
The Nigeria U17 women who had tough game against the Belgian side failed to get a goal for the first time in their last nine high-profile friendly matches at the Alles Des Sports Stadium.
The game came days after the Nigerian girls ran riot in a rout of Clube Benfica in Lisbon, with a brace from Cynthia Aku and individual efforts from Rasheedat Ajibade and Chinwendu Ihezuo.
Coach Bala Nikyu started the high-profile friendly with some of his best legs who masterminded the victory in Sunday's encounter with Benfica on the bench in bid to engage all the players.
Both halves were fascinating as many will have expected the goal feast for the free-scoring West African side as all attempts put up met the rock in an encounter that looked not their day.
Belgium's U-17 girls also made several attempts to register a goal against the Nigerian side but met a brick wall in the defence line of Ologbosere Mary, Emenayo Ugochi Anibaba Ayominde and Mene Augusta.
Earlier in the game, the best chance came in the first half where Captain Tessy Biahwo's winning goal potential from a penalty spot, turned another miss for both shared the spoil with no victor, no vanquish at regulation time.
The African representatives have recorded three wins and a draw in four warm-up games.
Speaking after the game, substitute striker Chinwe Ihezuo assured Nigerians she and her teammates will record success in Costa Rica and make them proud by winning all their matches after ruing missed chances as well as blaming his side's inability to score against the Belgian team on anxiousness and unfriendly weather.
"We played a good side, but today's game was hard luck for us. We did very well though we were too anxious to score and missed many chances. The weather was not too friendly as it was very cold and did affect our performance. We are assuring Nigerians that we will not only to participate, but do our possible best to win all our matches and make them proud in Costa Rica," Chinwe assured.
Earlier, the captain of the team, Tessy Biahwo who expressed shock at her penalty miss, promised to ensure conversion when the opportunity avail itself at the World Cup and appealed for the prayers of Nigerians in Costa Rica as they hope to win tournament.
No comments:
Post a Comment