Nigeria’s Super Falcons played a goalless draw against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in Doula, before securing a win at the M.K.O Abiola Stadium in Abuja today, Soccernet.ng reports.
A first-half goal from Esther Okorokwo made all the difference as Jennifer Echegini dazzled through the opposition’s defence before laying the pass to Esther.
Soccernet.ng rates the performances of the players that did the business for the Super Falcons.
Chiamaka Nnadozie 8/10: Nnadozie made several crucial saves to keep a clean sheet. She commanded her backline well, thwarted aerial crosses and calmed the game down when needed.
Ashleigh Plumptre 6.8/10: The English-born full-back got beaten for pace twice, but other than that, she kept things tight at the back, and provided width on the left-hand side, combining well with the midfielders and attackers. Her set-piece deliveries were excellent.
Oluwatosin Demehin 5/10: Demehin had a decent start to the game, but an injury in the first twenty minutes of the game saw her miss most of the game as she was replaced by Halimatu Ayinde.
Osinachi Ohale 7/10: Ohale had a good game, despite playing without her preferred partner on the left. Her aerial prowess bailed the Super Falcons out consistently, especially from set-pieces. She also came close to scoring from a Plumptre delivery, but her shot went over the bar.
Michelle Alozie 6.5/10: Alozie had a decent start to the game, but struggled as time went on. She played too many loose passes and looked jaded towards the hour mark, and was replaced by Esther Akudo.
Deborah Abiodun 6.9/10: Abiodun put up yet another solid performance in Nigeria’s midfield. Her work rate was brilliant, and she ensured that the Super Falcons dominated the fixture.
Christy Ucheibe 6.5/10: Ucheibe started the game in the midfield alongside Deborah Abiodun, but an injury to Demehin saw the Benfica midfielder slot in at central defence and she barely put a foot wrong.
Toni Payne 6.8/10: Payne had a very good performance, she held down the creative position and showed good understanding with the attackers. Her decision-making was also on point, and her set-piece deliveries caused all sorts of dangers for the Cameroon defence.
Jennifer Echegini 7.3/10: The Juventus midfielder’s dribbling paved the way for the first goal. She took the ball to the byline before releasing the pass just in time for Esther Okoronkwo to tap in.
Rasheedat Ajibade 6.5/10: Ajibade played in a more central role in the middle of the park, creating chances for Okoronkwo and the other attackers, but barely got a sniff of one herself.
Esther Okoronkwo 7.5: Okoronkwo’s goal made all the difference for Randy Waldrum’s team as she was at the right place at the right time to tap the ball home. She was taken off a few minutes after the restart due to an injury and was replaced by Asisat Oshoala.
Substitutes;
Halimatu Ayinde 6/10: Played in central midfield after coming on to replace the injured Demehin and helped to relieve some defensive pressure off Deborah Abiodun as Cameroon were very physical.
Uchenna Kanu 6/10: Replaced Toni Payne but couldn’t assert herself on the game as time went on, but she aided Alozie defensively on the right side.
Asisat Oshoala 6/10: Came on for Okoronkwo towards the hour mark and she threatened on a few occasions, firing wide, but she went silent as the game grew.
Esther Akudo and Rinsola Babajide: Both players came on with just six minutes left on the clock and had minimal impact on the game.
