Summer Series: Nigeria bow to Jamaica as US humble Portugal

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Nigeria began her campaign in the Four-nation invitational tournament tagged Summer Series in the United States (US) on losing note as Deneisha Blackwood’s second half strike gave Jamaica a lone goal victory over the African champions at BBVA Stadium in Houston on Thursday.

In the second game of the day at the same venue, host country, US beat Portugal 1-0 courtesy of 76th minute goal scored by Samantha Mewis.

Blackwood’s 51st min. goal was enough to condemn Super Falcons to their first defeat under the new Head Coach Randy Waldrum, an American soccer tactician who took charge of the team in February’s Turkey invitational tournament. He won three matches on the bounce.

Nigeria’s gaffer who did not have the best of preparations prior to the match against Jamaica was forced to field inexperienced players most of them playing for Nigeria for the first time following the unavailability of key players due to injuries and logistics reasons especially Asisat Oshoala of FC Barcelona feminine forward.

Waldrum started four players playing their fisrt international game in Oluwatosin Dimehin and Vivian Ikechukwu (home-based), Onyinyechi Zogg and Roosa Ariyo (foreign-born).

Although they tried to give a good account of themselves, it was clear they will cave in under pressure and it was not long before the stage got the better of the debutantes who were replaced at some point