Izuchukwu Okosi
The Nigeria women’s national team, the Super Falcons on Thursday evening pipped Cameroon 1-0 to book their place in the semifinals of the 2022 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The African queens also ensured that they have picked one of Africa’s four automatic slots for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The Falcons will face hosts Morocco in the semifinals.
Prime Business Africa’s Senior Correspondent Izuchukwu Okosi here presents the player ratings.
GOALKEEPER
Chiamaka Nnadozie: Was not overly troubled by the Cameroonians. Had an injury scare but luckily carried on. 6/10.
DEFENDERS
Toni Payne: The versatile defender who has played at left back, right back and right wing back positions at the WAFCON was solid in defence albeit she was not at her element in bombing forward. 7/10.
Ashleigh Plumptre: The Leicester City defender was deployed in the left back position. The Cameroonians did exploit the spaces she vacated going forward. She had some good interplays with the forward players. 6/10.
Osinachi Ohale: Ohale was the glue that united the defensive line of the Falcons. Ohale won aerial battles at will and her ball playing ability came to the fore. 8/10.
Onome Ebi: The captain of the team led superbly from the back and although we didn’t see much of her long, diagonal passes, she was assured. Ebi was booked in the second half. 7/10.
MIDFIELDERS
Halimat Ayinde: Great display at the base of the midfield three. She broke plays expertly and was also useful in going forward to take some long range efforts. 7/10.
Christy Ucheibe: Good on the ball and ready for the physical battles too. Ucheibe was instrumental in nuetralising the threat of creative midfielder Genevieve ngo Mbelek who could not find her teammates in attack with her passes. 8/10.
Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene: Created the chance that led to Ajibade’s goal as she teed up Ifeoma Onumonu who delivered a cross to the scorer. Commanding performance in the middle of the pack. 7.5/10.
FORWARDS
Francesca Ordega: Played from the left flank most times though darted to the right side of attack a couple of times. Was key in the chances the team created before she was subbed with 18 minutes left on the clock. 7/10.
Rasheedat Ajibade: The Woman of the Match whose goal was the difference on Thursday. Too skillful and fast for the Cameroonians to cope with. 9/10.
Ifeoma Onumonu: Assisted Ajibade’s goal with a delightful cross. Onumonu was closed down by the Cameroonians as she could not go through the central defensive pair. Missed a few chances as well. 7.5/10.
THE SUBSTITUTES
Mitchelle Alozie: Came on in place of Plumptre and suffered a shoulder injury though the medics worked on her enough to see her carry on. 5/10.
Uchenna Kanu: Brought some urgency when n the Falcons forward players started getting leggy from the energy-sapping contest. Should have come in a bit earlier. 5.5/10.
Goft Monday & Regina Otu: Both played only towards the end of the game. Not enough time to be rated.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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