TheCable

Super Falcons of Nigeria were beaten 2-1 by the USA women’s national team (USWNT) in the second leg of the double-header friendly games.

It was a much-improved performance from the Falcons who were hammered 4-0 by the US in their first meeting in Kansas City on Saturday.

The game, played inside the Audi Field on Tuesday, saw Nigeria score against the Americans for the first time in 22 years.

The last goal scored by the Falcons against the US was Mercy Akide’s strike on September 20, 2000, at the group stage of the women’s football event at the Sydney Olympics.

However, the Randy Waldrum-led girls could not halt the perennial domination of the US over the Falcons.

Nigeria held their hosts for the first 24 minutes of the encounter until Blessing Demehin bundled the ball into her own net.

Falcons responded with a 50th-minute equaliser by second-half substitute Uchenna Kanu.

It was not enough as the world champions clutched the winner through Rosemary Lavelle, who headed in a cross from Megan Rapinoe.

After the match, the USWNT signed its first agreement with the country’s football association to ensure equal pay for national team players of both genders. 

The two-legged tie was in preparation for the upcoming FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup billed to be hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The Falcons will play another friendly against former world champions Japan in Kobe on October 6.