Super Falcons player ratings: Ajibade Brazilian flair, a tale of two Paynes, Alozie reputation intact, Echegini not herself 

The Super Falcons lost by a solitary goal to Brazil in their opening matchday in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Allnigeriasoccer.com runs the rule over the Nigerian players in action.  

The starters

Goalkeeper 

Chiamaka Nnadozie: She couldn't do anything to prevent the goal but was decent throughout the game though her goal kicks today were poor. 5/10

Defenders 

Michelle Alozie: The ever-industrious fullback had a good game, started at right back but finished the game on the opposite flank and put in a good defensive shift. 7/10

Osinachi Ohale: The veteran centre-back was solid yet again and hardly lost a tackle though not much was seen from her when the Super Falcons tried to build up from the back. 6/10

Tosin Demehin: She started the game shakily and could have defended Gabi Portilho's effort better. She shrugged off her slow start to finish the game strongly. 6.5/10

Chidinma Okeke: She struggled to cope with Marta and her colleagues and her performance would make Randy Waldrum ruin the absence of Ashley Plumptre. 4/10

Midfielders and strikers

Deborah Abiodun: She was rock solid yet again and literally covered every blade of the grass at the Matmut Atlantique Stadium. 7/10

Christy Ucheibe: Had an effort saved by the Brazilian shot stopper in the first half and could have done with a rebound from Rasheedat Ajibade's shot in the second half. A decent but not spectacular performance from the Benfica midfielder. 6/10

Toni Payne:She was quiet all game, having failed to impose herself on the game and unsurprisingly was the only midfielder taken off by Waldrum. 4/10

Rasheedat Ajibade: The Nigeria captain was the only bright spark in the attack and led by example. Her pace combined with her flair were too much to handle for the Seleção backline but unfortunately her effort wasn't complemented by her teammates. 8/10

Chinwendu Ihezuo: She had no impact in the game and should have buried the only chance that came her way. 3.5/10

Jennifer Echegini: She was played in an unnatural position with her only highlight of the game being a shot she fired over the crossbar in the first half. 4.5/10

The Substitutes

Esther Okoronkwo: She was more mobile than Ihezuo but hardly troubled the Brazilian defence line.4/10

Uchenna Kanu: She failed to make an impact, started off from the left flank but was later shifted to the opposite side but still failed to get going. 4/10

Ifeoma Onumonu: Combined well with Payne when she came on but didn't pose as a threat to the Seleção.
4/10

Nicole Payne: Was lively when she came on with her pace and made a strong case to start against Spain.6/.510

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Photo Credit: superfalconsshow.com

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