Nigeria’s Super Falcons’ start to the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has started on a rough patch, rougher than the patch of the 2018 edition.
In 2018, they only lost by a goal to new arch-rivals, Bayana Bayana but this time, they have not only lost, but they have also lost the star striker of the team – Asisat Oshoala.
Yesterday, it was confirmed that Oshoala will not take part in the competition again after sustaining a ligament injury that will see her fly back to Barcelona for treatment. Desire Oparanozie who withdrew from the competition due to injury was the first blow, the South African loss was the uppercut and Oshoala’s injury was the knockout.
But with an array of stars ready to prove a point and step up to the party, the Super Falcons can still stand the bout and eventually win it.
The NWFL star
The name on the lips of every fan of the Super Falcons right now is Monday Gift. The FC Robo cum Bayelsa Queens star has proven herself on numerous occasions in the Nigeria Women Football League. This last season, she showed herself again scoring 12 goals in total to the golden boot of the league.
She has showed hunger in the green and white colors as she scored a brace against South Africa in the 4-2 to the Bayana Bayana at Aisha Buhari Cup. Gift will be one player to replace Oshoala’s and Oparanozie’s shoes well in attack.
Uchenna Kanu (Tigres Femenil, Mexico)
Kanu is another player that can be relied on and yeah, she has goals in her. 10 goals in 5 appearances for the Super Falcons is not a fluke from the 25-year-old Abia-born striker.
In 2021, she scored 22 goals for Linkopings FC in the Swedish league before moving to Mexico where she netted 7 times in 10 games. If Randy Waldrum needs an instant replacement, KANU is available and ready.
Vivian Ikechukwu (WFC Gintra, Lithuania)
She played a part in the 2-1 loss on Monday. Now she has a chance to sell herself. She was on the Rivers Angels payroll before moving to Lithuania earlier this year.
She scored a brace for Rivers Angels in the Women CAF champions league and helped the team to the finals of the WAFU-B champions league qualifications and also won the NWFL title in 2021.
She turns 25 in three days’ time, a perfect gift awaits her on the pitch.
Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA)
The 28-year-old American-born striker has scored 3 times in 5 games for the Falcons. Her height is an added advantage for the Falcons in attack and if needed should be effectively used by Waldrum.
Ifeoma netted 8 times in 24 games for her club and with a real chance to blossom in the national colors, now is the time.
Chinonyerem Macleans (GSK Gornik Leczna, Poland)
Macleans scored 8 goals in 10 games for her club in Poland. The 22-year-old Aba-born striker is one of the debutants in the squad and one of the futures of the Falcons perhaps the future is now at the 2022 WAFCON.
Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia)
One of the consistent names in the Super Falcons since she made her debut in 2010 and is the most experienced of the attackers left in the squad at the moment.
She plays majorly from the wings and has scored 7 times in 26 games for the Falcons. Now her leadership is very much needed in that attack. She will shoulder that responsibility as she has done in the last 12 years.
Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid)
Though fielded as a midfielder, Rasheedat can play a striking role and has got lots of goals.
The former FC Robo star is another person who Waldrum can rely on in this competition. Having been in the shadows of Oshoala and Oparanozie now is the time for the fire in her to spread wide.
The Super Falcons file out tonight by 9 pm against debutants Botswana who won their first game by scoring 4 goals. The match is a must-win for the Falcons if they are to qualify for the last 8 in a comfortable position.
