Ex-Chelsea stars in attendance and four other observations from Nigeria's 1-0 win vs Cameroon

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.

Former Chelsea stars in attendance to support Cameroon

Ex-Chelsea striker and current FA president of FECAFOOT in Cameroon, Samuel Eto'o has always been the number one supporter of all his country's national teams and he once again showed up when it mattered most against a strong opposition.

Eto'o was also in the stands with another former Chelsea player Geremi Njitap.

The Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick was also at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca to cheer the Super Falcons.

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.

 Izuchukwu Michael

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