Super Falcons player ratings: Ayinde pockets James, Plumptre proves her loyalty, Onumonu struggles

Nigeria have been knocked out from the FIFA Women's World Cup following their loss on penalties to England at Lang Stadium in Brisbane on Monday.

Allnigeriasoccer.com runs the rule over the Super Falcons players on parade. 

The starters

Goalkeeper

Chiamaka Nnadozie: The skipper led by example and dealt well with the few chances England had. Couldn't have done anything to save any of the Lionesses penalties. 7.5/10

Defenders

Michelle Alozie: What else can be said about the energetic right-back who was later deployed as a left winger in the closing stages of the game.

She was as solid as always and made some good attacking runs but unfortunately lost her spot kick. 7.5/10

Osinachi Ohale: The veteran defender was as composed as always, and was decisive in her duels. Another satisfying performance from the experienced centre back. 7.5/10

Oluwatosin Demehin:  Looked nervy in the first half but was more composed in the second half, dealing with everything thrown at her. 7/10

Ashleigh Plumptre: Unarguably her best game in a Nigeria shirt and interestingly, it came against her country of birth. She came close to scoring on two occasions but was denied by the woodwork and goalkeeper.. The former England youth international registered a team high four interceptions and won a game-high eleven aerial duels. Her four shots was another game-high tally. 9/10

Midfielders and strikers

Halimatu Ayinde: Another industrious and superb display from the Swedish-based midfielder. Tasked with keeping Lauren James quiet and she did that with unbelievable efficiency. 9/10

Christy Ucheibe: She covered every blade of grass, was relentless in pressing and was very comfortable in possession. Outstanding performance which could have been flawless if she had not missed her penalty. 7/10

Toni Payne: She was also excellent in the middle of the park working her socks off and helping her teammates transition quickly from defence to attack. 7.5/10

Rasheedat Ajibade: Lucky to get away from conceding a penalty but was a bone in the throat of England's right back and showed her versatility by playing as a defender in extra time. Quick to attack the ball, made some decent crosses and tuck her penalty away. 7/10

Uchenna Kanu: Deployed as a right winger.  The 26-year-old was dangerous in transition and looked the closest to scoring before her substitution. 7/10

Ifeoma Onumonu:She was the least involved of the three attackers as she was kept quiet before being brought off. Not the game she would have wanted. 5/10 

The substitutes

Asisat Oshoala: She started slowly but grew into the game, particularly in the extra time. Not effective as Randy Waldrum would have hoped but was still decent. 5.5/10

Francisca Ordega: She wasn't spectacular but was good to see her combine well with Ajibade and made one good run behind the English defence but couldn't get a touch of the ball. 5/10

Jennifer Echegini: Came in for the industrious Ayinde and kept things simple. 6.5/10

Desire Oparanozie: She only had three touches of the ball as she came on very later in the encounter and failed to score her penalty. 3/10

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid
 

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