Gift Monday says the Super Falcons are not distracted by the sending off Deborah Abiodun during their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Group B opener against Canada on Friday.
The 19-year-old Rivers Angels midfielder, who was making her World Cup debut, was given her marching orders in the eighth minute of added time after a dangerous foul on Ashley Lawrence.
Centre referee Lina Lehtovaara had initially given Abiodun a yellow card but after consulting with the VAR pitch side monitor upgraded it to a red card.
The draw was seen as a credible result and Monday is now looking forward to the Falcons’ game against co-hosts Australia in Brisbane next Thursday.
“It wasn’t a bad result so our mood is giving [positive] but we can do better,” Monday told Afrosport.
“We are not distracted, the red card, the draw, all are part of the game, we keep moving ahead.”
How would you rate Super Falcons' performance ???????? against Canada ?????????
Chiamaka Nnadozie ⭐️⭐️
Deborah Abiodun ????????????♂️
Asisat Oshoala ☹️????
Francisca Ordega ????????#Afrosport #FIFAWWC #FIFAWomensWorldCup2023 #Nigeria #SuperFalcons #BeyondGreatness #NGACANhttps://t.co/U1FlKB5U5E— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) July 21, 2023
Afrosport asked Monday her thoughts about Woman of the Match and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie who saved a penalty from Canadian icon Christine Sinclair among other saves. The UDG Tenerife player said: “She’s just one fantastic goal keeper I have always known in football.”
Monday is participating in her first-ever Women’s World Cup since making her senior debut in 2019.
She was an unused substitute in the game and will be hoping to make her maiden appearance in the Mundial against the Australians.
