Super Falcons player ratings: Ajibade dazzles, Oshoala clinical, Ohale resolute, Alozie flamboyant  

The Super Falcons picked up the maximum three points after defeating tournament cohost Australia 3-2 at the Brisbane Stadium in match day two of the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup on Thursday afternoon.

 

They are now top of Group B and have  put themselves in a good position to qualify for the round of 16

 

Allnigeriasoccer.com runs the rule over the Super Falcons players on parade at Lang Park in Brisbane.

 

The starters

 

Goalkeeper

 

Chiamaka Nnadozie: It was her poor goal kick that led to Australia's first goal and she wasn't comfortable dealing with crosses.  She still made some decent saves to give her team a much important victory. 6/10

Defenders

 

Michelle Alozie: She was energetic once again and made some fanciful runs down the right flank. 7.5/10

Osinachi Ohale: She was immense and kept no prisoners carrying out her defensive responsibilities. Her performance was summed up with her goal when she had to put her body on the line to give Nigeria the lead.  8/10
 

Blessing Demehin:  She started poorly as she kept making poor touches but finally settled into the game. 6/10 

 

Ashleigh Plumptre:  Could have done better to close down Emily van Egmond for Australia's first goal but was decent for most of the first half. She started the second half terribly as she kept losing her tackles and was eventually substituted. 6/10

 

Midfielders and strikers

 

Halimatu Ayinde: She missed the first match through suspension but settled into the game nicely. Her hard work alongside Ucheibe contributed to the victory of Randy Waldrum's ladies.  Hopefully, she will be able to shake off her injury and be ready for the next game 6.5/10

 

Christy Ucheibe: She worked her socks off yet again particularly in the first half when she served as the deepest-playing midfielder. Didn't see much of her in the second half but still had a good game. 7.5/10

Toni Payne: She was more impactful than the game against Canada. She was relentless in her pressing and played some nice forward passes. 7.5/10

 

Rasheedat Ajibade: She missed the first game and showed why she is very important to the Super Falcons. It was her deflected shot that led to the first goal and assisted the second goal. 8.5/10

 

Uchenna Kanu: She was unconvincing for most of her time on the pitch but maintained composure to score her goal and restore parity for the Super Falcons. 6/10

 

Ifeoma Onumonu: She led the line well in the first half pressing the Australians, started on the right wing at the start of the second half but looked jaded before she was brought off. 5.5/10

 

The substitutes

Asisat Oshoala: The superstar striker came on as a second-half substitute and sent shivers down the spine of the Matildas. She showed alertness and composure for her goal. 7/10

Esther Okoronkwo: She came on for Onumonu but couldn't offer as much as the latter. 5/10

 

Onyinyechi Echegini: Came on for the energetic Ayinde and had a big shoe to fill. She was decent. 5.5/10

 

Glory Ogbonna: Replaced Plumptre who looked vulnerable in the second half and was quite better. 6/10

 

Onome Ebi: The veteran defender was introduced in the 90th minute for Payne and couldn't do anything to be rated N/A

 

 

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

 

 

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