FIFA Women's World Cup: Nigeria holds Sweden to draw

Nigeria played a draw with Sweden in a Group D match opener of the FIFA Women’s world cup going on in Canada.

The first few minutes of the match saw Nigeria heaped pressure on the Swedish team as the first goal came with a disappointing own goal from Nigeria forward, Desire Oparanozie, when she mistakenly pulled in the first goal past goalkeeper precious Dede.

The second goal was netted by Sweden’s player, Fischer, who took advantage of the Falcons porous defence and fired a shot.

In the second half, Ngozi Okobi reduced the deficit as she scored Nigeria’s first goal in Canada before Oshoala put Nigeria back on level terms through a fine individual effort after a well-played long ball from Onome Ebi.

Unfortunately Sweden were back in the lead in the 60th minute with the goal this time coming from substitute Sebrant who was barley three minutes on the pitch.

Nigeria’s perseverance for another equalizer paid off barley three minutes to the end of the game as Falcons’ Francisca Ordega fired an equalizer in the 88th minute to make it 3-3.

That turned out to be the final score.

Nigeria will still meet USA and Australia in Group D as they hope to make the next phase of the FIFA Women’s World Cup

Read our live-blog of the match here.