Nigeria’s Super Falcons continued their preparation for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a spirited 0-0 draw against Portugal in a friendly match played on Monday, June 23, 2025, in Amadora, Portugal.
It was a game marked by defensive resilience and goalkeeping heroics, especially from Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, who delivered a standout performance to earn the nine-time African champions a hard-fought clean sheet.
The friendly was only the second-ever meeting between the two nations. Their first encounter, a thrilling 3-3 draw in 2021, set the stage for another competitive clash. While this encounter did not deliver goals, it certainly had moments of drama and intensity.
Portugal, despite coming into the match on the back of four consecutive losses, started the brighter side. They dominated possession in the first half and asked early questions of Nigeria’s defence. One of the early warning signs came in the 24th minute when a long ball from the Portuguese half was misjudged by Tosin Demehin. However, Nnadozie reacted quickly, coming off her line to gather the loose ball.
Two minutes later, the Paris FC goalkeeper made the first of several fine saves, tipping a goal-bound effort just over the crossbar. She was called into action again on the 33rd minute, leaping acrobatically to deny Portugal from a looping shot that seemed destined for the net.
Despite the early pressure, Nigeria created their own chances. Rasheedat Ajibade was the main threat in the opening half, making her presence felt as early as the 15th minute. After turning her marker inside the box, her left-footed strike lacked power and was easily gathered by the Portuguese goalkeeper.
The second half brought renewed energy for the Super Falcons, especially following the triple substitution that saw Ifeoma Onumonu, Halimotu Ayinde, and Ashleigh Plumptre replace Esther Echegini, Jumoke Alani Usani, and Rinsola Babajide. Their introduction gave Nigeria more balance and attacking intent.
However, it was Nnadozie again who kept the Super Falcons in the game with a series of clutch saves. In the 50th minute, she denied Portugal from point-blank range after a neat move down the right. Just moments later, she produced a one-handed save to palm away a powerful header from a set piece.
Portugal’s best chance of the match came in the 54th minute when one of their forwards beat the offside trap and latched onto a long pass. But once again, Nnadozie stood tall—diving full stretch to get a touch on the ball and snuff out the danger.
The Super Falcons responded by pushing forward in search of a breakthrough. Ajibade’s low cross in the 57th minute nearly found a teammate but was scrambled away by the Portuguese defence. In the 71st minute, she came close again, this time connecting with a cross but couldn’t generate enough power on her shot.
Francisca Ordega almost stunned the home crowd with a lob from distance in the 80th minute that struck the crossbar after catching the Portuguese keeper off her line. Four minutes later, Ordega again caused trouble with a low cross, but Onumonu, in front of goal, misconnected with the ball.
Despite late pressure from both sides, the match ended goalless. Nigeria will be encouraged by their defensive discipline and Nnadozie’s incredible form. With Cameroon already defeated 2-0 earlier this month, and another friendly against Ghana’s Black Queens scheduled for June 29, coach Justin Madugu’s squad looks well on course in their build-up to WAFCON.
This result reinforces the Super Falcons’ growing tactical stability and offers confidence heading into continental competition.
