Head coach of New Zealand women’s senior national team, Jitka Klimková, lamented her side’s lack of grit in their loss to Nigeria in a friendly game played at the Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya on Turkey’s southern coast on Tuesday. Returning Desire Oparanozie outfought Claudia Bunge and finished past Esson, right after the goalkeeper and defender Katie Bowen had made a pair of crucial blocks to hand the Falcons three-goal lead. Klimková said her team lacked grit against the nine-time Africa champions. “It was disappointing – specifically in front of the goal,” the coach was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz. “We gave up a goal from a set play, we gave up a goal from a cross.
