'We know Oshoala' - Barcelona's Spain midfielder Bonmati ahead of Super Falcons' must-not-lose match
Published: July 28, 2024Six players named in Nigeria's squad to the 2024 Olympic Games have the experience of playing in the Spanish Liga F, namely Osinachi Ohale, Chidinma Okeke, Toni Payne, Asisat Oshoala, Uchenna Kanu and Rasheedat Ajibade.
Of the aforementioned Super Falcons stars, Oshoala stands out, having won the Primera División five times, the Champions League twice as well as Supercopa de España Femenina, Copa de la Reina and Copa Catalunya during her stint with Barcelona.
Sunday evening's match between La Roja and Super Falcons has been billed as a must-not-lose game for the African powerhouse after they were beaten 1-0 by Brazil in their opener three days ago.
Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí, one of the leaders of Spain women's national team, is relishing the prospect of meeting a Nigerian player she knows very well, Oshoala.
Aitana Bonmatí and Oshoala were teammates at Barcelona for five years before the reigning African Footballer of the Year joined NWSL club Bay FC in February 2024.
In an interview with Spanish news agency EFE, via Mundo Deportivo, Bonmatí stated: "Yes, Patri and I and other teammates from the same group have faced Nigeria several times…
"We know Oshoala from the team (ex-Barcelona striker) so it is also 'cool' to meet up with teammates that you have played with along the way."
Bonmatí scored against the Nigeria team at the 2018 Fifa U20 Women's World Cup and the Falconets team had future stars such as Chiamaka Nnadozie, Chidinma Okeke, Christy Ucheibe, Rasheedat Ajibade and Gift Monday.
The Barcelona star also played against Chinwendu Ihezuo at the 2016 Fifa U20 World Cup and was an unused substitute for Spain in their 3-0 win over the Flamingos at the 2014 Fifa U17 World Cup.
Sharing her expectations for today's game against Nigeria, Bonmatí said: "Yes, that's true, although I've played against them two or three times in the lower categories, if I remember correctly.
"They're a team that is always characterized by the same thing, very, very physical, with those quick counterattacks and with players up front who are unbalanced.
"They're a different team to us, but that's what we're here for, to adapt to any type of match."
Bonmatí entered into the history books as the first ever player to score for Spain at the Olympic Games during their 2-1 win over Japan on Thursday, July 25.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- After omission from Super Eagles Afconq squad, Osimhen reveals when he'll return from injury
- What Nantes coach said about Uyo-bound Super Eagles forward Moses Simon after defeat to Lyon
- 'Good battle with Sancho' - International media praises Aina after Forest's 1-1 draw at Chelsea
- Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa shows he's still got it with brace for Kano Pillars on third debut
- 'It would be a dream to represent Nigeria' - Scottish-born forward keen on representing African powerhouse
- 7 goals in 12 games: Rangers striker Dessers explains why he has started the season with a bang
- Southampton coach singles out Super Eagles duo Onuachu, Aribo for praise despite loss to Arsenal
- 'A large number'- Libya coach worried about fitness of his players before Afconq against Super Eagles
- 'I've played under him' - Ex-Flying Eagles star backs Eguavoen to deliver despite Osimhen's absence
- Eight things to note on Super Eagles 23-man squad for Afconq against Libya's Mediterranean Knights
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- okvip ing
- Women's Football