Portugal 3-3 Nigeria: Ajibade’s stoppage-time effort saves Super Falcons from defeat

Nigeria women’s team played a 3-3 draw against Portugal in the United States of America tourney on Monday morning.

Rasheedat Ajibade scored a late-minute effort to ensure the Super Falcons avoided a second-consecutive defeat.

Nigeria headed into the encounter on the back of their 1-0 defeat to Jamaica on Thursday and were looking to bounce back from the loss.

Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum named a strong squad for the encounter with Barcelona star Asisat Oshoala leading the attack after missing the first game due to a visa hitch.

Tochukwu Oluehi maintained her position in goal while Francisca Ordega, Rasheedat Ajibade and Rita Chikwelu also started the game and gave good accounts of themselves.

The Super Falcons are using the friendlies to prepare for the upcoming Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers in October.

The game started with both sides aiming for an early goal but not until the 21st minute was the first goal recorded.

Chidinma Okeke turned the ball into her own net to hand Francisco Neto’s side the lead in the encounter and Nigeria made effort to try and level proceedings but it was the Seleccao das Quinas who got another goal through Carole Costa in the 34th minute.

Moments before the end of the first half, Michelle Alozie reduced the deficit for the 11th-time African champions.

Three minutes after the restart, Portugal got a chance to further increase their lead and did not miss the opportunity as Telma Encarnacao found the back of the net.

The joy was short-lived as the Super Falcons scored four minutes later after Diana Gomes turned the ball into her own net.

With the game looking to go the way of Portugal, Ajibade netted a late equalizer for the West Africans after receiving an assist from Toni Payne to ensure they avoided defeat.

The Super Falcons will play host country United States in their next outing on June 17 and will hope to bounce back to winning ways.