Super Falcons Vs Algeria (0:0): Player Ratings

The Super Falcons qualified for the quarter finals of this Wafcon top of the group following a 0:0 draw against Algeria this week

Here are my player gradings:

Nnadozie: She produced a decent save to prevent a tricky cross from sneaking into the net embarrassingly. Her distribution was decent, however she wasn't overly tested.

Grade': Good.

Oladipo: She delivered a few overcooked long balls. Her passes on the ground were decent and she sort of supported the attack by positioning higher up the pitch at times.

Grade: Average.

Isah: She was composed on the ball with decent movements and jockeys off the ball. Her defensive credentials weren't tested too much as Algeria defended for most parts

Grade' Average

Demehin: She was supremely assured in possession with exceptional long balls, exemplary ball control and fluid movement. Off the ball, her interceptions were A rare and she marked well.

Grade: Quality.

Usani: Her long balls to attack had more credibility. Her overlapping runs held promise. She played with assurance with ball control and interceptions.

Grade': Decent.

Ucheibe: She shielded her back four with whip-smart kinetic energy and integrity in how she tackled, intercepted and marked. On the ball, she didn't produce any visionary passes but she kept things simple.

Grade: Acceptable.

Echegini: She would commendably dart past one, two and three Algerian defenders before being ultimately dispossessed or before shooting wide. She participated in decent passing routines with others but, ultimately, I think it was a night to forget.

Grade: Manageable.

Ajibade: She can never be faulted for effort. Her understanding with long-term compadre Ordega produced excitement as they bounced off each other well with clever interplay of passes. She tried to identify space and she drove into opposition box 18 with menace, almost winning a penalty on one occasion.

Grade: Painstaking.

Ihezuo: Either on the left or right, she struggled as a winger. Her crosses were easily picked off and she struggled to shrug off her markers. But, she kept the Algeria backline busy in trying to prevent her runs and she kept them guessing which part of the wings she would turn up.

Grade': Scope for improvement.

Ordega: She produced a mixed bag of corner kicks. Her work-rate was exceptional. She struck a high level of understanding with Ajibade as they combined well to generate defence splitting 1-2 passes. Her crosses, particularly down the left, packed a deadly punch. She created openings and almost scored.

Grade: Imposing.and Impactful.

Onumonu: She was always eager to get involved in the action. Her positioning was A rate and her touches were fine and dandy. But she struggled to shake off her markers enough to be clean through on goal.

Grade': Promising

Subs

Okoronkwo: She had more joy shrugging off her markers with pace and trickery. But the intensity of marking our strikes suffered from in this game meant Okoronkwo's end product was curtailed.

Grade: Eye catching.

Ijamilusi: She produced some neat crosses and she looked light on her feet with nice fluidity. She was involved in some promising interplay of passes.

Grade' Lively.

Babajide: She ran into the same problems in this match as all the other Super Falcons strikers and wingers in not being able to create space in a heavily crowded Algeria backline. She produces passes but she couldn't manufacture moments of magic.

Grade: Average

Coach:

Madugu,: His direct brand of football couldn't unlock a stubborn Algeria defence. His direction only succeeded in creating half chances. He was clueless in crafting a method to displace and disburse Algeria defence without over relying on predictable passes, and ponderous passages of play.

Grade': Scope for improvement.