http://completeports.comThe Super Falcons of Nigeria are among the eight teams that have booked their place in the quarterfinals at the current 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco.
The West Africans, who are the most successful side in the history of the competition, took two wins and one draw of their three group phase matches.
The side of Justine Madugu is preparing for their quarter -final draw against the copper Queens of Zambia, which will take place on Friday in the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca.
In this piece, Completeports.com’s Adeboy Amaso Emphasizes the most important points of the group games of the nine times Champions.
Super Falcons’ impregnable defense
The Super Falcons are the only team that has admitted a goal in the competition. The defenders have determined action after 270 minutes.
Experienced Center-back Osinachi Ohalic has organized the defense with agility, while her partner, Oluwatosin Demehin, has also been a rock.
Full-backs Ashleigh Plumptre and Michelle Alozie have attracted attention with their impressive versions.
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The quartet is the main reason why goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has so far largely not been tested in the competition.
Super Falcons Captain Ajibade feels the pressure
The former wing player of Atletico Madrid has not met the expectations in the competition so far. Ajibade, next to Chiamaka Nnadozie and Oluwatosin Demehin, are the only players who can be seen in all three matches for Nigeria in Morocco.
The 25-year-old must feel the pressure of the captain. She also had trouble impressing the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris – her first major tournament as the leader of Super Falcons.
For a player who was a joint scorer at the Wafcon 2022 final with three goals, it will be expected from her, especially now that the competition has started the crucial knockout phase.
Madugu still to find the combination of the right Super Falcons
The Super Falcons are blessed with a range of talented midfielders, but head coach Justine Madugu still has to find the right combination.
Halimat Ayinde from FC Rosengård in Sweden seems unassailable in the defensive midfield position, but finding the ideal two players to combine with her has proven to be difficult.
Deborah Abiodun and Toni Payne collaborated with Ayinde in the first two games of the Super Falcons against Tunisia and Botswana. However, midfield looked more effective with the introduction of Christy Ucheibe during the break in both games.
Payne in particular looked out of shape, while Jennifer Echegini of Paris Saint-Germain made an impression in the last group match against Algeria.
Discharge for the goal
The side of Justine Madugu scored four goals in three group stage matches. For a team that has some of the best strikers on the continent – including Asisat Oshoala, Omorinsola Babajide, Ifeoma Onumonu and Esther Okoronkwo – that return is meager.
The Super Falcons scored three goals in their opening match against Algeria, but the score could have been more emphatically if they had converted the other chances they have created.
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It was the same pattern in the matches against the mares of Botswana and the Fennecs of Algeria.
Okoronkwo, the new Super Falcons Rising Star
Esther Okoronkwo, the AFC Toronto Forward, has emerged as the new star of the team. She came into the spotlight after scoring the decisive goal that Nigeria delivered a place in the final round of the 2024 Olympic qualifications against the indomitable lionines of Cameroon.
The 28-year-old came from the bank to inspire Nigeria’s victory over Tunisia, to make an assist and claim the wife of the Match Award.
Okoronkwo has also set up Chiwendu iHezuo for the winning goal against the mares of Botswana after another impactful replacement appearance.
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