Several players in Nigeria’s female squad, Super Falcons failed to live up to personal ratings in Saturday’s Africa Women Cup of Nations final against South Africa.
However, despite putting up a disappointing all-round performance, Nigeria eventually won the 11th AWCON with a 4-3 penalties shootout defeat of South Africa, but the Falcons looked far from impressive in their individual ratings, which sports247.ng cites thus:
The goalkeeper, Tochukwu Oluehi was calm all through the game and saved one kick in the shootouts. The Rivers Angels keeper once again rose up to the occasion, as she came to her team’s rescue in the shootout, just as she had done in the semi-final against Cameroon. 6/10
Josephine Chukwunonye was stable, not fantastic at right back, often huffing forward and defended well when needed. 6/10
Ebere Ngozi was quite busy all through, as the left back produced a great show, despite so much pressure from the South African wingers and attackers down the flanks. 7/10
Onome Ebi made it to the AWCON 2018 all-star team on the back of her experienced play at the centre of Nigeria’s defence, calm, collected and always showing a matured aura that was the epitome of her status as Nigeria’s oldest player and alternate captain. 8/10
Ohale Osinachi also kept things tight at the heart of the Nigerian defence, picking up loose balls, launching attack and holding how own aerially when needed. 7/10
Halimatu Ayinde was her battling best, sitting right in front of the defence back-four, the former Nasarawa Amazons and Delta Queens star was one of the best players in the game, as she gave room for Rita Chikwelu and Ngozi Okobi to move freely upfront. 8.5/10
Rita Chikwelu showed great mobility and playmaking skills and leadership qualities as skipper on the pitch, marshalling the middle and propelling attack with killer passes. 7/10
Ngozi Okobi is as skilful as they come, good turning on the ball, passed the ball very well and was twice close to scoring, but denied by the goalkeeper Kaylin Swart. 8/10
Rasheedat Ajibade never justified her starters, but could be excused for being played as the top striker in her debut at this level, and her miniature size never helped her the least, could have possibly done better had she been made to play from the wings. 4/10
Francisca Ordega caused all sorts of problems to Banyana Banyana down both flanks, and once in a while through the middle, Nigeria’s best player up front, as flashy as ever. 8/10
Asisat Oshoala had a game for forget about in a hurry, especially as she fell way below her usual high standards and missed a crucial penalty in the second half, but always full of pace, dropping back into the middle for loose balls, and linking on the flanks for wing play. 6/10
The Substitutes: Chinwendu Ihezou gave some fresh options in attack and midfield when she replaced Ajibade, but appeared to struggle with the ball. 5/10
Chinaza Uchendu was an extra time substitute, but didn’t get enough time to show her stuff.
