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Nigeria qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup finals after a lone goal by Rasheedat Ajibade steered the Super Falcons to the semi finals of the ongoing Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco at the expense of Cameroon's Indomitable Lionesses.
These are the five takeaways from the Super Falcons' victory against Cameroon.
Midfield Presence
Super Falcons' Christy Ucheibe and Halimat Ayinde were in the know that influential midfielder Genevieve Ngo Mbeleck must be stopped from delivering passes to the forward players if they were to stop the Cameroonians.
That worked a treat as the duo of Gabrielle Onguene and Ajara Nchout were most times left isolated upfront and had just few chances at Nigeria's goal area.
Physical Lionesses
Cameroon teams, both men and women teams alike, are notorious for asserting their physical presence in a bid to bully opposition.
That was a tactic that they used on Thursday but rightfully earned them four yellow cards.
Cautious Cameroon Defending
As a result of the point raised above as per physicality, the Lionesses noticeably were cautious to contest 50/50 balls with the Nigerian girls to avoid the referee's red cards.
Nigerians Attacking Style
The Super Falcons attacking style is very flat and are finding it difficult to penetrating the Cameroonian ladies. Ifeoma Onumonu lacked the physical strength often imposed by the lionessess defence and also lack speed for quick penetration of the eighteen yard box.
Francisca Ordega may have slow down in her normal dribble runs from the flank and Uchenna Kanu may need to be given more playing to complement the strength of Rasheedat Ajibade in the Falcons attacking make up.
Team Missing Oshoala
Despite her not too impressive showing against South Africa which the Bayana Bayana won 2-1 and the eventual knee ligament injury, Asisat Oshoala would have been a threat for Nigeria's opponents in the subsequent matches as the team improved with each passing game.
