It was a night of mixed fortunes for Nigeria’s biggest women’s football stars as Asisat Oshoala announced herself in Saudi Arabia while Chiamaka Nnadozie suffered her first defeat in England, Soccernet.ng reports.
Oshoala, who joined Al-Hilal on 2 September from Bay FC in the United States, wasted no time making an impression.
The six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year scored on her debut to help Al-Hilal edge Al-Qadsiah 4-3 in a thrilling Saudi Women’s Premier League opener.
The Ikorodu-born striker was heavily involved throughout, registering three shots and playing the full 90 minutes.
Al-Hilal struck twice in the opening 36 minutes before Al-Qadsiah fought back with goals in the 44th and 58th minutes. But Oshoala restored the home side’s advantage from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute, confidently dispatching her effort.
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Portuguese forward Jéssica Silva added a fourth in the 74th minute, which ultimately proved decisive as Al-Qadsiah grabbed a late third deep into stoppage time.
Oshoala, who previously starred for Arsenal, Liverpool, and Barcelona, has now scored on debut in four different countries.
Meanwhile in Manchester, her Super Falcons teammate Nnadozie could not replicate the joy.
The goalkeeper, signed by Brighton from Paris FC this summer, was impressive on her debut against Aston Villa when she kept a clean sheet and was named Player of the Match. But at the Academy Stadium on Friday night, she was beaten twice as Manchester City came from behind to win 2-1.
Fran Kirby had given Brighton the lead in the 14th minute after Michelle Agyemang’s strike was parried, but City found their rhythm after the interval. Khadija Shaw levelled with a diving header in the 58th minute before substitute Aoba Fujino set up Yui Hasegawa for the winner in the 74th.
Nnadozie, however, still produced several key saves, notably denying Vivianne Miedema in the first half. But it wasn’t enough to prevent new City boss Andrée Jeglertz from claiming his first Women’s Super League victory.
City now face Tottenham on 19 September, while Brighton host West Ham two days later.