WAFCON : Three best and worst performers as Nigeria knockout Cameroon for semifinal place

Nigeria's Super Falcons qualified for the semifinals of the 2022 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday night at the Stade Mohammed Stadium in Morocco after a slim 1-0 win over rivals Cameroon.
 

The win means that Nigeria will face the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco in the semifinals of the tournament after the hosts knocked out Botswana in their quarter-final game with a 2-1 scoreline.

Nigeria started the game very well but came up against a physical and traditionally stubborn defence. However, towards the end of the game, the nerves set in but thankfully the Super Falcons were able to see the game out to seal qualification.

Allnigeriasoccer.com will be highlighting three players who delivered good performances in the game and three others who had a game to forget despite the team generally performing well.

Best Performers

Rasheedat Ajibade

Has taken over the taliswoman mantle since Asisat Oshoala got injured and ruled out of the tournament in the opening game against South Africa. Ajibade was tireless and scored the only goal of the game that sealed the semifinal place. Despite receiving a lot of criticisms for her performance in the opening game, she has risen above them to power her team through the tournament.

Osinachi Ohale

What a performance! She is the tiger in the defence alongside the more calculative Onome Ebi. One underrated ability of Ohale is her reading of the game. She has the ability to be at the right place at the right time which is instrumental for a team that looks to play on the front foot every time.

Despite the Cameroonians taking the physicality of the game several levels higher, Ohale combated them and won most of her duels which were important in such a crucial position.

Halimatu Ayinde

The Super Falcons' own version of N'golo Kante. That may be too much of a stretch but it highlights just how combative and disruptive she was to Cameroon's midfield play. Her positioning and tackling were top-notch and it is no coincidence that Randy Waldrum trusts her so much. Great player.

Honourable Mentions

Christy Ucheibe

A definition of raw power. Body checked a Cameroon player in the first half and the Indomitable Lioness looked surprised at what hit her. Teams need players like her and the Super Falcons are lucky to have Ucheibe.

Randy Waldrum

Got his tactics and game management right. His late substitutions were good as they disrupted the tempo Cameroon were beginning to achieve.

Worst Performers

Ashleigh Plumptre

Maybe it is due to being played out of position or an injury but she wasn't as effective as she could be. Lost track of runners and many duels. No coincidence she was subbed off for Alozie in the second half.

Francisca Ordega

Useful ball-carrying in the first half but faded in the second when the going got tough.

Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene

Did a lot more than in recent matches. Should not have made this list but that shows how much is expected of her due to the quality she possesses. Getting more involved in the game and the Super Falcons will need her on top form when the business end of the tournament arrives.

Sofoluwe Mayowa        

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