Nigeria's U-17 women's national team played out a 1-1 draw with Canada in a pulsating encounter at the Tofig Bahramov stadium, a result that left the African side feeling they deserved all three points. Coach Peter Dedevbo's side dominated the first half, yet went into the break without a goal, a fact that will surely have puzzled the coaching staff.
First-Half Dominance and Woodwork Woes
The only early scare for Nigeria came when Amandine Pierre-Louise found herself one-on-one with goalkeeper Gift Andy, but that was the extent of Canada's threat in the opening period. Nigeria's relentless pressure was rewarded with three separate strikes on the woodwork before the interval. Chinwendu Ihezuo rattled the crossbar with a header from a short-corner routine, while Jiroro Ideke's inswinging corner caused chaos in the Canadian box, cannoning off the woodwork again with goalkeeper Sheridan flapping. Chidinma Edeji arguably had the best chance of the lot, arriving late onto a loose ball just four yards out and hammering a shot onto the upright, leaving Sheridan helpless.
Second-Half Pressure and the Hammer Blow
The trend continued after the restart, with Ihezuo hitting the post with another header and Adeboyejo forcing Sheridan into a full-length save. However, against the run of play, Canada struck. Substitute Nichelle Prince slipped in the lively Pierre-Louise, who charged into the area and fired ferociously past Andy. Nigeria looked stunned and were less fruitful in the following minutes, but they regrouped and again looked the better side.
Late Equalizer and Push for a Winner
Despite spurning further chances, Nigeria eventually got the goal that seemed unlikely to come. Adeboyejo's cross from the left was blocked, but the rebound fell to Ihezuo, who volleyed home the goal she richly deserved. The African side then pushed for a winner but ultimately had to be content with a point, a result that may feel like a missed opportunity given their overall dominance.
