Can the Super Falcons Overcome Morocco in Wafcon Final?

Some Super Falcons stakeholders have warned the team to be weary of Morocco's deadly passing routines and possession football in tomorrow do-or-die Wafcon final.

With all due respect to these observers, I don't think possession is the problem, a problem posed by Zambia and South Africa which the Super Falcons easily brushed aside.

Against Zambia, Nigeria lagged behind in possession stats, recording 44% against Zambia's 56%. This mirrors the stats against South Africa where Nigeria recorded 46% against their 54%.

Morocco are the ones with the problem here. They have to try to neutralise Nigeria's high long ball strategy. This strategy is directly implicated in 7 out of the 11 goals scored by Nigeria in this tournament: a massive 64% of all the goals Madugu's ladies scored.

Zambia couldn't live with this strategy. It produced several near misses against South Africa, particularly in the first half when these high balls left their goalkeeper discombobulated before being bailed out by her defenders in goal-mouth scrambles.

In the end, the South African defence capitulated as long high ball came good in at the death.

Stop high balls, stop the Super Falcons, easy. And I don't see how Morocco will be able to deal with this Madugu manufactured brand of high balls.

On Madugu, a horde of implacable fans are still not sold on his methodology, but they can take it all leave it. A coach might please some of the fans some of the time but can never please all of the fans all of the time.

Madugu started the tournament with regulars but he didn't shirk from taking tough decisions when the occasion called for it. As the tournament wore on, the subs made their mark and were markedly rewarded with starting berths.

In a million years, who would have expected staunch starters Oshoala, Payne, and Babajide give way for Ihezuo, Okoronkwo, and Ijamilusi?

Ihezuo and Okoronkwo complement each other exceptionally well. As impact subs they gelled spectacularly, as starters they complement each other marvellously.

Though the centre forward, Okoronkwo drifts left, right and deep to allow Ihezuo exploit the space left behind in the centre, where Ihezuo exploited to devastating effect against Zambia.

A natural winger like Babajide might struggle to conjure such centre forward instincts, as a winger.

At a time when all armchair critics (including myself, I hasten to add) were condemning Madugu for playing Rasheedat Ajibade against type in midfield instead of on the flanks, Madugu stuck to his guns. As a result, Ajibade has been a revelation and contender for player of the tournament.

If this happens, Madugu moaners will mutter and moan that 'Ajibade achieved this feat all by herself, without coaching input, blah, blah, blah'. All too sad, sadly, all too true.

Madugu's philosophy of long high balls, overlapping fullbacks, diamond midfield, dynamism of the front 3 with a reliable defensive infrastructure has propelled the Super Falcons this far.

Will it propel them to the podium? How will I know? I be babalawo? But I think they stand in good stead.

Good luck to the team!