Spain coach Tome identifies the most key player in Super Falcons team; labels Nnadozie 'a good goalkeeper'

Spain women's national team coach Montse Tomé expects a physical confrontation when her side face off with African powerhouse Nigeria in their second group game of the ongoing Olympic Games in France. 

In their opening games of the competition, the world champions defeated Japan 2-1 while the Super Falcons suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Brazil. 

Ahead of Sunday's meeting at Stade de la Beaujoire - Louis Fonteneau (Nantes), La Roja held a recovery workout on Friday, with the starting players against Japan working out in the gym while the others trained on the pitch.

Montse Tomé admitted that she would have to change her tactics against Nigeria because they are a physical side that can break up the rhythm of a game. 

The former Barcelona midfielder suggested that Atlético de Madrid forward Rasheedat Ajibade is the most key player in the Super Falcons team as everything goes through her, and knows La Roja will be facing a trusted goalkeeper in Chiamaka Nnadozie. 

The Super Falcons captain was undoubtedly the standout player for Nigeria in their opening match of the Olympics, exhibiting her flair for dribbling and showed her versatility by starring in midfield in the second half. 

In quotes relayed by Spanish sports daily AS, Tomé said: "Physically, they are very strong and a team that leans heavily towards the left, with Ajibade (Atletico player), who we know very well.

"They have a good goalkeeper (Nnadozie), with a fairly long throw. Nigeria will present us with more individual duels, so we have to change the plan to beat them."

Rasheedat Ajibade tallied eleven goals and seven assists in 35 games for Atlético de Madrid over the course of the 2023-2024 season. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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