Nigerian sensation Chiamaka Okwuchukwu made a spectacular National Women’s Super League (NWSL) debut, scoring within 108 seconds of entering the pitch, but her effort wasn’t enough to prevent San Diego Wave from falling 2-1 to Orlando Pride on Saturday.
After a goalless first half, Orlando Pride took the lead through Haley Hanson early in the second. San Diego Wave responded by introducing Okwuchukwu, Kimmi Ascanio, and Melanie Barcenas as substitutes.
Okwuchukwu’s impact was immediate, as she headed home a pinpoint cross from Kenza Dali to level the score. However, Orlando Pride secured a late victory when Marta converted a penalty with a confident panenka, following a VAR review.
The win maintains Orlando Pride’s perfect start to the season, while San Diego Wave sits fifth in the standings.
Okwuchukwu’s goal, scored in just 108 seconds, is the second-fastest goal by a player in their NWSL regular-season debut, trailing only Ebony Salmon’s 55-second record from 2021.
The Nigerian forward, who joined San Diego Wave from Rivers Angels in 2024 and was a CAF Women’s Young Player of the Year nominee, is now aiming to solidify her place in the team’s starting lineup.
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