Player Observations: Super Falcons Fabulous 1:0 Win Against Botswana

Match Observation:

The 4-3-3 continues to serve Madugu well. The wingbacks overlap to devastating effect; the 2 attacking midfielders (Ajibade and Abiodun) participated in offensive passing routines, thereby not overloading the wings; Ayinde held the fort well as the lone DM; wingers Babajide and Payne were busy delivering crosses and chipping in with defensive duties; whilst the lone CF much maligned Oshoala made her presence felt with (admittedly predictable) runs, flicks and neat passes; with Nnadozie being attentive when called upon for goalkeeping duties.

I don’t know about other fans, but for me, I found their pattern of play discernible, coherent, free flowing, and harmonious, particularly when the (super) subs were introduced.

Fans forget that the Super Falcons were not playing against ghosts!

Botswana didn’t show up to sell akara and eko, or puff-puff! When the Super Falcons looked disjointed in their play, it was because Botswana made them look so with their highwire, high-energy energy and high-tempo approach, which the Super Falcons initially struggled with but soon curtailed and eventually subdued.

When you analyse a game, remember there are 2 teams on display, not just your team! And football nowadays is no longer the preserve of previous super-powers, so we should cut the team some slack!

I thought Ohale was solid in defence with some nice shielding, interceptions and leadership. Abiodun, who might struggle to reclaim her starting position after the next match, was firm, solid and reckless at times.

Plumptre is a behemoth in left back (the best I have seen her in that role in her Super Falcons career). Whether she is running late into the box 18, delivering deft crosses, launching audacious long-range shots or being involved in intricate passing routines, Plumptre schools us in a masterclass study of modern-day fullback grace, eloquence, and effectiveness.

Ajibade made her presence felt here with powerful runs, neat crosses, insightful passes and all-round progressive play, with a few cracks at goal. Her interactions with others were purposeful. Alozie’s throw-ins were menacing, almost contributing to 2 goals.

Oshoala’s cunning and cheeky chest-down to Ajibade from an Alozie throw-in can easily go unnoticed, but so did the majority of her hard work as Botswana marked her out with 3 CBs.

Payne, slightly subdued, still produced some decent crosses, meaningful moments, and an effort on goal that sailed just wide. Babajide also seemed subdued, but her interplay with others produced suspenseful moments that helped drive the team into enemy territory.

Demehin stayed dialled in and would work with her colleagues to crowd out the defence, making it difficult for Botswana to make headway.

And the subs, they were dynamite! Echegini has the best technique when it comes to scoring goals, and she came close with one low drive and another exceptional curling effort that drew a picture-perfect save from the opposition goalkeeper; a fine example of an attacking midfielder’s craft accomplishing a showcase of singular expertise.

Okoronkwo was smooth, intricate and precise in her application; no fat, waste or bloat, each move was pure relevance.

Her headed flick-ons and aerial prowess are out of this world! These almost led to 2 goals, but she would display telepathic understanding with the bullish Ihezuo by sliding a world-class through pass across the entire backline of Botswana for Ihezuo to magically connect and stab home for the only goal of the encounter!