National Teams
Nigeria boost as Halimatu Ayinde makes return from injury against Ucheibe’s SL Benfica
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria midfielder, Halimatu Ayinde returned to the field of play after months of injury for Swedish side, Rosengard in the 2023/2024 UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage match in Malmo on Thursday.
Her Swedish club played out a 2-2 draw with Christy Ucheibe’s SL Benfica and the encounter marked the first time Ayinde will play for her team since October 2023.
Olivia Schough scored the first goal of the fifth group game for the host in the 13th minute.
The Portuguese star, Jessica Silva equalised for the visitors in the 52nd minute.
Five minutes later, Marie Alidou d’Anjou gave Benfica the lead for the first time in the match.
With eight minutes to the end of the match, Mai Ladowaki equalised for Rosengard.
Ayinde who started the match was replaced by Mia Persson in the 84th minute.
The last time she played for her club was on October 6, 2023, during a 2-2 vs Djurgarden.
Her return served as a massive boost for the Super Falcons ahead of next month’s Paris 2024 Olympic qualifiers against Cameroon.
