April 8, 2022
BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia
CANADA VS NIGERIA: 2-0
Our Olympic Gold medalists, Canada Women’s National Team, beat Nigeria, 2-0, in the Women’s Friendlies on Friday, April 8. Before the game started, a ceremony was held for Captain Christine Sinclair’s record-breaking 185 goals, achieved in 2020, for the most international goals. Canada’s Jessie Fleming scored in the 51’, and Vanessa Gilles sealed it off in the 72’.
It was also the final game for Canada’s veteran goalie, Stephanie Labbe, who played a fantastic game blocking goals from the injury-riddled Super Falcons. Nigerian players, Ebi Onome and Grace Kanu, were taken off the field by stretchers in the second half.
April 11, 2022
Starlight Stadium, Victoria, British Columbia
CANADA VS NIGERA: 2-2
A new day for redemption, a sold out match, and a determined Nigerian women’s team. Nigeria’s Ifeoma Onumonu scored in the first five minutes of the game, but Christine Sinclair answered back in the 49’. In the 53’, Rasheedat Ajibade brings Nigeria’s score up to 2-1. Shelina Zadorsky equalized the game in the 81’. Canada’s coach, Bev Preistman, expressed frustration with the draw, “We had something like 20 shots, but couldn’t find the back of the net,” adding, “We saw the real Nigeria tonight.”
Ziga Poromon is a writer and reporter with a passion for all things soccer. Her love for the beautiful game was due in part of her adoration for Chelsea FC (the best team in the world!), and she has had years of experience playing midfield and defender. When she’s not writing, she is acting, creating poetry, listening to music, or playing her piano.