Red-hot Oshoala, Ajibade can make difference for Super Falcons

Published: February 16, 2022

A glance at the Primera Division’s goalscoring chat shows two Nigerians at the summit; Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade. The pair, who are enjoying an incredible streak in the final third, can make the difference for the Super Falcons against Cote d'Ivoire, a game online casino Australia is interested in.

Foes at club level, teammates at home, Oshoala and Ajibade have more than just goals in common. They both began their careers at FC Robo. While the Super Falcons skipper departed in 2013, Ajibade’s career kicked off at the same time.

Before they ultimately met in Spain, they took different career paths. Oshoala moved to Rivers Angels before British sojourn to Arsenal and Liverpool. A two-year stint in China brought Catalonia.

For Ajibade, the road to Madrid was shorter. After five years at Robo, she headed to Avaldsnes in Norway, then Atletico came knocking last year. This season, the Nigerians have hit top form.

Oshoala currently leads the golden boot race in the Spanish top-flight with 19 goals. She recently marked her 100th appearance in all competitions with a brace to hit 79 goals.

Barcelona have been flawless. Unbeaten, the Catalans flaunt a 100 per cent record with victory in all 22 matches. They have struck an unbelievable 125 times, with Oshoala responsible fo one-sixth.

Although, she is yet to hit double figures, Ajibade is having a strong campaign. With nine goals from nine starts, she is her team's joint topscorer alongside Deyna Castellano. The 22-year-old is following her compatriot’s lead. Both will be key against the Lady Elephants in an Africa Women's World Cup qualifier.

The African champions host their West African rivals in the first leg of the final qualifying round tie in Abuja on Friday, with the second leg coming up in Abidjan on Wednesday next week.

The Ivorians prevented Nigeria from qualifying for the Beijing 2020 Olympics women’s football event, and the nine-time African champions are aware of how dangerous the rising team can be.

While the Super Falcons squeezed past Ghana 2-1 on aggregate to reach this stage, Cote d’Ivoire destroyed Niger Republic 20-0 on aggregate in the previous round, with le casino en ligne leroijohnny backing the game with several odds.

“Every player in camp is aware of the high importance of these two matches against Cote d’Ivoire,” coach Randy Waldrum said. “We must win to get to the Women’s AFCON where the African teams for the FIFA Women’s World Cup will emerge. It is one step at a time, but we all know that we must win well in Abuja on Friday.”

To win, Waldrum must be hoping that his Spanish pair transfer their club form to his team. Oshoala, although with almost 30 goals for the senior team, has struggled lately. Ajibade, on the other hand, is yet to break her international duck.

Veteran defender Ebi said she and her teammates are highly motivated for the encounter as they seek to reach the Morocco 2022 Women’s AFCON and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as avenge the Beijing 2020 defeat.

“These two matches are going to be tough; they would be like the Final of the Women’s AFCON itself,” the 38-year-old Ebi said. “The Ivorians stopped us from the race to the Olympics. We also know that it is by being in Morocco that we can defend our crown and also qualify for the Women’s World Cup. We are battle ready.”

The 12-team Women’s AFCON will be held in Morocco from 2 July to 23 July, with the four semi-finalists qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.