Nigeria player ratings : Ajibade comes of age; Alozie full of zest; Payne shines; Oshoala committed; Okeke shaky

African champions Nigeria fought back to secure a 3-3 draw against Portugal in their second game of the invitational tournament in Houston, Texas USA on Monday morning.


The Starters

Goalkeeper

Tochukwu Oluehi: Could do little to keep the goals away from the classy Portuguese players. Needs to have better communications with her defence. 5/10.

Defenders

Chidinma Okeke : The right-back had a torrid time as she was tormented ceaselessly by Francesca Nazareth who produced a couple of nutmegs to delight the crowd. Okeke's game was further marred by the own goal she conceded. 5/10.

Glory Ogbonna : Certainly not one of her better games in the green and white colours.  5.5/10.

Ifeoma Onumonu : Not a great game for the left-back for this game. It will be interesting to know if she earns the starting role against USA. 5.5/10.

Onome Ebi : The old warhorse of the Falcons defence had to be substituted off in the second half after copping an injury.

The 38-year-old Ebi had a tough time dealing with the pace and trickery of the Portuguese girls. But her experience brought some calm in the backline . 6/10.

Midfielders and Strikers

Rita Chikwelu : One of the leaders of the team with loads of experience. Chikwelu provided the assist for Michelle Alozie's goal which reduced the deficit towards the end of the first half. 7/10.

Rasheedat Ajibade : The 21-year-old showed she has come of age with a Woman of the Match display, scoring a last-gasp equaliser and was involved in the build-up to the Falcon's second goal. An enterprising display throughout the duration of the match by the Atletico Madrid star. She was cautioned in the 75th minute. 9.5/10.

Toni Payne : A great addition to the Super Falcons ranks. Always keen to drive forward with the ball. Her pace is am asset for Randy Waldrum's team. 7.5/10.

Francisca Ordega : Her game against Jamaica was a better one than the one against Portugal. Nonetheless it wasn't a poor outing in its entirety. Subbed off eight minutes from time. 6/10.

Mitchelle Alozie : The Houston Dash star scored the goal that began the fightback for the Super Falcons. Full of zest, positive attitude and flair, the player continues to prove that she is another good discovery for the African queens. 8/10.

Asisat Oshoala : Applied the pressure that led to the own goal by Portugal to make it 3-2. The dynamic striker only joined the team on the morning of the game to underline her importance to the team. 7/10.

The Substitutes

Nicole Payne : Brought on to replace the injured Onome Ebi. Helped shore up the defence. 6.5/10.

Salome Zogg : Came on at half-time. Put in plenty of hard work but was at fault for the third goal conceded by the Super Falcons when the Portuguese capitalized on her poor clearance to score. 6/10

Ijeoma Okoronkwo : Came off the bench to replace Onumonu at half-time. Grew into the game as it progressed. 6/10

Obianujunwa Ikechukwu : Replaced Asisat Oshoala in the 70th minute and offered pace and aerial threat. 5.5/10.

Joy Bokiri : The former youth international came off the bench for Rita Chikwelu but did not overly affect the outcome of the game for her team. 4.5/10.