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Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, represented FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, at the 2023 Women’s World Cup opening game Australia and the Republic of Ireland on Thursday, The PUNCH reports.
Steph Catley’s second-half penalty gave World Cup co-hosts Australia a 1-0 victory over debutants the Republic of Ireland in Sydney.
Catley, standing in as captain after Australia’s star forward Sam Kerr suffered a calf injury on the eve of the game, converted the winner from the spot in the 52nd minute.
Pinnick, who led the NFF board for eight years expressed his delight at the role he played in the absence of the world football supremo while.
He said, “It was a rare privilege to be seated in the halfway line representing my boss, Gianni Infantino, as co-hosts Australia defeated Ireland in a very intense and exciting opening game in the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand.
“A little above 75 thousand fans watched the game in the same stadium the Olympics was hosted 23 years.
“I was also privileged to have met the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Norman Albanese.
“Truly, Gianni has changed the face of global football. We thank God Almighty for everything.”
The Women’s World Cup got off to a roaring start with New Zealand picking up three massive points against Norway in its group-stage opener and Australia beating Ireland without its captain and star striker Sam Kerr.
Outside of Ria Percival’s 89th-minute penalty attempt that hit the crossbar, New Zealand really couldn’t have asked for a better start to the Women’s World Cup. Against No. 12-ranked Norway, the Football Ferns got their first-ever Women’s World Cup win. Before Thursday, they were 0W-3D-12L at the tournament, which was the longest winless streak in Women’s World Cup history.
Ireland came awfully close but was ultimately unable to steal a point from Australia Thursday. Steph Catley’s 52nd minute spot-kick was the difference for The Matildas, who were without their usual goalscorer Sam Kerr. Kerr picked up a calf injury Thursday that will keep her out of Australia’s first two matches.
