Izuchukwu OkosiNigeria U-17 women’s national team the Flamingos on Tuesday began their 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India on a losing note with a 2-1 defeat against European champions Germany on Tuesday.
Prime Business Africa’s IZUCHUKWU OKOSI presents the players’ ratings from the defeat to Germany.
Goalkeeper: Faith Omilana
The Flamingos keeper made instinctive saves and had good distribution but was unable to stop the goals from the Germans due to sloppy defending at the back. 6/10.
Rightback: Miracle Usani
The rightback scored a brilliant goal from a freekick in the 30th minute. Usani made clearances and blocks at will but tired out towards the end of the match. 8/10.
Leftback: Comfort Folorunsho
The left back made recovery runs but also had difficulties in dealing with the pace and trickery of Mina Alber. 6/10.
Central Defender: Shakira Oyinlola
The centre-back took no prisoners as she was ready to clear the ball at will. However her communication with central defensive partner Timuninu Adeshina needs to get better as the Germans exploited the middle. 7/10.
Central Defender: Timuninu Adeshina
Fairly good outing by the defender but she seemed to be the weaker link of the two central defenders. Needs to improve on her concentration levels and communication with Oyinlola. 6/10.
Defensive Midfield: Mary Aderemi
Battling and has a knack for the long range shots. It was a good outing for the defensive midfielder but we expect a netter day against New Zealand. 6/10.
Attacking Midfield: Blessing Emmanuel
The attacking midfielders leadership qualities told when captain Alvine Dah-Zossu was subbed off.
Emmanuel galvanized her teammates and spread good passes were excellent and incisive. The vice captain is one of the bright spots early on in the tournament. 7.5/10.
Right Winger: Taiwo Afolabi
The midfielder cum winger is a talented player but it was not one of her best games for the team.
Replaced at halftime by Amina Bello. 5.5/10.
Left Winger: Edidiong Etim
Hardworking and tireless, Edidiong Etim is blessed with pace and tricks but she needs to work on her final decisions. 6/10.
Striker: Alvine Dah-Zossu
The captain of the team had some good moments but she was replaced at halftime, hopefully not for fitness issues as she was at the end of some harsh fouls. 6.5/10.
Striker: Opeyemi Ajakaye
Strong, powerful and athletic, Opeyemi Ajakaye who was top scorer at the qualification campaign had a great chance to score for Nigeria but her powerful shot was superbly saved by Germany goalkeeper Eve Boettcher in the first half. 8/10.
The Substitutes
Amina Bello
Proved to be better attacking outlet than Taiwo Afolabi whom she replaced. 6/10.
Bisola Mosaku
Bisola Mosaku showed glimpses of a trickeryplayer when she came off the substitute bench. 5/10.
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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