Nigeria defender Ejoku suspended three games, will miss USA match

Nigeria defender Ugo Njoku has been suspended three games at the Women's World Cup for an elbow to Australia forward Samantha Kerr's face in a match on Friday.

Australia won the match 2-0 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, but the victory was marred by the second-half hit on one of the Matildas' top players.

Njoku, who came on as a sub, will not be allowed to play in Nigeria's final group-stage match against the United States on Tuesday in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Nigeria, ranked No. 33 in the world, played to a 3-3 draw with Sweden in its opener then fell to Australia on a pair of goals from Kyah Simon.

FIFA, soccer's international governing body, also fined Njoku. If Nigeria does not advance to the knockout round, the remaining suspension will must be served over Nigeria's next two official matches.