A stunning goal in added time from Rasheedat Ajibade sved Nigerian from defeat against Portugal in their second match at the 2021 WNT Summer Series Women Invitational in Texas, USA.
The African champons appeared heading for a second straight loss att he competition, until the Spain-based petite attacker put the icing ona sparkling personal display with a 95th minute equaliser for Randy Waldrum’s lasses.
The Falcons will round off their participation in the tournament with a difficult fixture against USA on Thursday, a game into which they will soar on the back of Sunday’s 3-3 draw against Portugal at the BBVA Stadium in Texas.
The Nigerians who lost 1-0 to Jamaica on Friday conceded an own goal in the 21st minute when right-back Chidinma Okeke inadvertently steered the ball into her own net in an attempt to make a clearance.
Portugal doubled their lead through Carole Costa in the 34th minute as she profited from a sloppy defending with the African champions defending a corner kick. The nippy forward poked home from close range.
The Nigerians reduced the arrears with a minute left on the clock in the first half through Michelle Alozie who received the ball from Rita Chikwelu moments after a corner kick for the Africans.
Portugal, who were defeated 1-0 in the opening game of the tournament by USA, restored their two-goal advantage when Telma Encarnação made it 3-1 but Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala who flew in from Spain only in the morning of the game forced an own goal from Gomes after a low cross from the impressive Rasheedat Ajibade on 51 minutes.
As the match petered out, Ajibade herself secured parity for her team as she grabbed Nigeria’s third goal five minutes into stoppage time after Portugal gifted their African rivals the ball at the edge of the box.
The Atletico Madrid Feminino star had few minutes earlier curled a beautiful effort which hit the crossbar before her goal.
