The Super Falcons of Nigeria were held to a goalless draw by Portugal on Monday evening in a tightly contested international friendly in Lisbon, in what was their penultimate preparatory match before the start of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Head coach Justin Madugu named a strong starting eleven featuring Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal with Osinachi Ohale, Miracle Usani, Shukurat Oladipo, and Tosin Demehin providing defensive cover. Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe, and Jennifer Echegini operated in midfield, while Rasheedat Ajibade, Francisca Ordega, and Rinsola Babajide led the attack.
The match served as a key opportunity for Madugu to test his tactical approach and assess his players’ readiness for the continental championship. It also allowed the nine-time African champions to face a disciplined and technically sound Portuguese side, who dominated possession in several stretches but failed to get past Nnadozie.
Portugal started the match with intent and put the Nigerian backline under pressure early on. By the 24th minute, the hosts had carved out a series of dangerous opportunities, coming closest to scoring but were denied by quick reactions from Nnadozie and determined defending by the Falcons.
Despite Portugal’s superior control of possession in the first half, they found little joy in the final third as Nigeria stayed organised and compact.
The Super Falcons struggled to create clear-cut chances in the opening period, but they maintained their shape and discipline.
Ajibade and Babajide showed flashes of danger on the flanks, while Echegini and Ucheibe tried to link up play in the middle. The half-time whistle came with the scores level, though Portugal appeared to have the upper hand in terms of momentum.
Nigeria returned from the break with more urgency and looked to press higher up the pitch. The midfield became more competitive, and the Falcons began to assert themselves physically.
Madugu’s girls showed greater willingness to push forward, and their best moment of the match came in the 80th minute when Ordega spotted the Portuguese goalkeeper off her line and attempted a clever chip from distance. Her shot beat the goalkeeper but crashed against the crossbar and bounced away, drawing applause from the Nigerian bench.
Portugal made several changes in the second half, bringing on Ana Capeta, Tatiana Pinto, Stephanie Ribeiro, Andreia Faria, and Bárbara Lopes in an effort to break the deadlock. However, Nigeria held firm, with Ohale and Demehin working tirelessly to cut off the final balls into the box.
Nnadozie, despite facing three separate injury scares in the second half, remained a vital presence in goal. She received medical attention on multiple occasions but played through visible discomfort and completed the match.
Her performance was a boost for Nigeria and with the tournament just weeks away, the team’s medical staff will be expected to monitor her closely, as the former Paris FC goalkeeper remains a key figure in Nigeria’s quest for a tenth continental crown.
The match was Nigeria’s penultimate outing before they begin their WAFCON campaign in Group B, where they will face Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana. Their opening game is scheduled for Saturday, July 6 against Tunisia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
Madugu, who took charge after the departure of former American coach Randy Waldrum, is leading the team to its first major competition under his watch.
The Super Falcons are aiming to reclaim the title they last won in 2018 and continue their legacy as the most successful women’s football team on the continent. They have won nine of the twelve editions of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations since it began as a tournament in 1998.
Before the tournament begins on July 5, Nigeria will face Ghana in a high-profile friendly on June 29 in Morocco, a fixture dubbed the ‘Jollof Derby’ due to the long-standing rivalry between the two West African nations.
