“I Deeply Apologise”: Desire Oparanozie Pleads After Missing Penalty Against England in FIFA WWC

• Desire Oparanozie has apologised following her failure to convert her spot-kick against England
• The Super Falcons are out of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup after going down 4-2 to the Three Lionesses via penalties
• Substitute Oparanozie failed to capitalise on England's first miss, as she also failed to hit the target

Super Falcons striker, Desire Oparanozie has apologised to Nigerians following Nigeria’s exit from the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Having been left on the bench in the preliminary rounds, the forward was introduced during the intense Round of 16 showdown against the Three Lionesses of England.

It had ended goalless after 90 minutes, and the game headed into extra time, with Oparanozie’s experience desperately needed by the African side.

The 29-year-old was brought on in the 114th minute of the encounter and could only manage three touches before the referee signalled for a penalty shootout, the Athletic reports.

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England's Georgian Stanway missed the opening kick, and then Oparanozie stepped up but failed to capitalise when she also fluffed her spot kick wide.

Nigeria would go on to miss their second penalty kick after Michelle Alozie rifled her effort over the crossbar and England went on to win the tie 4-2.

It was a disappointing outing for Oparanozie, who has been with the national team since 2010, scoring 22 goals in her previous 34 matches.

After the game, she wrote:

"Sad day! Very disappointing to have lost through penalties, and even more disappointing not to have converted mine. And for this I deeply apologise."

Meanwhile, Nigerians have called for her retirement from the national team, as many singled her out for blame as the team crashed out of the tournament.

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Sports Brief earlier reported that Nigeria may be out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but Nigerians are delighted with Michelle Alozie despite her penalty miss against England.

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Alozie was key for Nigeria, frustrating England’s best player, Lauren James, throughout the encounter and eventually getting her sent off when the Chelsea forward lost her cool by stamping on her.

Nigerians have gone on social media to appreciate the Super Falcons defender despite the national team crashing out of the tournament.