BY Idris Shehu
Desire Oparanozie, Super Falcons striker, has taken to social media to apologise to Nigerians for missing her penalty kick during the defeat to England at the 2023 Women’s World Cup (WWC).
On Monday, the Falcons were dumped out of the WWC following a 4-2 loss on penalties to the Lionesses. Nigeria performed spiritedly against the European champions, forcing the game into extra time and a penalty shootout after a goalless draw.
Oparanozie missed Nigeria’s opening penalty, followed by Michelle Alozie as the Lionesses edged Falcons to a quarter-final place.
In a post on her official X, formerly known as Twitter, account, Oparanozie said she was “very disappointed” by the loss and even more gutted by her penalty miss.
“Sad day! Very disappointing to have lost through penalties and even more disappointing not to have converted mine. And for this, I deeply apologise,” she wrote.
Oparanozie had only returned to the Falcons fold after being pruned from the team in May 2022 — before the African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON).
The 29-year-old had missed all the games in the World Cup group stage due to injury. She was brought on deep into the extra time against England and had three touches before the match spiralled into a penalty shootout.
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