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Women's Football World Cup News

Nigeria end the gloom

Women's Football World Cup News 5 Jul 2011

Nigeria 1 (Nkwocha 73) Canada 0
att: 13,638; at Dresden
A late goal saw Nigeria claim their first World Cup Finals win for twelve years and end a miserable tournament for the Canadians.

After a tame opening start, the game burst into life midway through the first half with Ebere Orji testing Karina LeBlanc with a powerful strike. Canada hit back and almost took the lead but Melissa Tancredi's header came back off the post.

Orji struck the post at the other end shortly afterwards and Perpetua Nkwocha was also to hit the woodwork as the first half somehow ended goalless.

Early in the second half, Christine Sinclair forced a good save from Helen Ukaounu but there was to be an unexpected delay as the floodlights failed and plunged half the stadium into darkness. Play eventually resumed after around ten minutes.

Nigeria then went in front with their first goal of the tournament when a shot from Glory Iroka was deflected to Nkwocha who buried her effort past LeBlanc.

Canada sought a late equaliser with Precious Dede denying Sinclair but Nigeria held on to ensure they went home with three points.

Nigeria: Precious Dede, Faith Ikidi, Osinachi Ohale, Perpetua Nkwocha, Onome Ebi, Helen Ukaonu, Stella Mbachu (sub Francisca Ordega 72mins), Ebere Orji (sub Ogonna Chukwudi 54mins), Desire Oparanozie (sub Uchechi Sunday 84mins), Rita Chikwelu, Glory Iroka.

Canada: Karina LeBlanc, Emily Zurrer, Sophie Schmidt, Jonelle Filigno (sub Christina Julien 56mins), Marie-Eve Nault, Kaylyn Kyle (sub Desiree Scott 78mins), Rhian Wilkinson, Diana Matheson, Candace Chapman, Christine Sinclair, Melissa Tancredi (sub Jodi-Ann Robinson 84mins).