₦airaland Forum

First ever WWC game for most of these ladies.
Nerves, jitters, etc.

After the match, and after watching match video, the faults and kinks will be highlighted and worked on.

daveP:
We didn't have the personnel to press their weak defenders and at least a midfielder that will be winning fouls in threatening areas. By 2nd half he should have brought in Esther and Kanu to win this game. Oshoala and Onumonu don't have the energy to press. We need to use that approach cos that's the modern style. Glad our defence stood up and our Gk with WOTM performance. Going forward, my eyes are on Alozie. She will win tackle but cause double trouble for herself and everyone deep in our half. Haba.

Let me guess...
They should have called Mommy Okobi instead, right?
Unbelievable! Dumbest comment I ever heard!

Idiko1:
This girl should not have been called up for training session.

Why was she needed to be subbed?
The truth is none of the subs that came in made any impact.
Abiodun, as a starter, was playing very well and could have gone the full 90.
Absolutely NO reason to sub her.

Randy was spot on in his team selection today.
Kudos to our SF and massive SHAME on FIFA for their RACIST intent.

Jojodjo:
While Randy failed to sub Abiodun earlier on, let's not forget her ability to mark and pressure the Canadians was much needed.

FIFA and their implicit RACISM.
The girl that stumped on Ohale should have been redcarded. That stump was so late, it came in yesterday.
But because she was white, not even a yellow card.

I knew there was a racist intent when there was NO African on the VAR team. And I was proven right.
CAF must insist on having an African on the VAR team whenever an African team plays.
This is not even fully anymore.

Racist bastards!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdgD8GiPUyo

Walahi, Naija people can blow fabu! 🤣🤣🤣
Simple research or going to YouTube and watching interviews of her would have answered the question.

bisqit:
I read his white granddad was born in Nigeria. Probably impregnated a Nigerian woman who gave birth to her half caste dad who married an English woman

There were initial reports that she and the American Gisele Thompson were to be signed by PSG.
However, no further reports from L'Equipe were reported on this.

Sad for Patricia George. Too many injuries.

Deltamani:
From Close report she has signed for PSG Ladies but not unveiled yet.. We’re waiting…

As for Patricia George she seems to have ended her Football Career and currently pursuing a career in music…

And you know that for a fact, because…?

Idiko1:
When did so-called Tosin start playing for the Falcons of Nigeria? Tosin is a good-looking rookie and bound to commit rookie blunders. She is no way close to Plumptre in reading the game.

The history of football is replete with proven strikers who go through rough patches, but eventually come through when it matters.
The likes of Yekini, Ighalo, and even the great Osimhen come to mind.
Going further back in history, others like Paolo Rossi, Roberto Baggio, Pele and even Lionel Messi went through such with their national teams. It happens.

The fact that Onumonu is going through this patch doesn't mean she is not good enough or she is a bad player.
The WAFCON is past and we all need to look forward to the future.

mostob:
Randy needs to avoid emotion when picking his team. Onumonu upfront is an experiment that failed during the AWCON. Judging from the friendly, she is likely to start against Canada.

I don't have any issues with her toughness and her being detailed to mark out the opponents biggest and best strikers.
My concern is with her tendency to needlessly punt the ball up-field (as opposed to playing out of defense), something you acknowledged in your comment.

Deltamani:
Ohale wasn’t that good with her Passes from her U20 days but her Physicality and tackling abilities always gave her the edge in Defense.. One of the reason she benched the Likes of Christy George and Ulunma Jerome who were top favorites at Center Back then..

Back then when E/Guinea was using the so called Men, Ohale was the One going against them, she police them back to back… At the World Cup in 2011 she single handed handled the like of German #9 Birgit Prinz, Canadian #14 Melissa Tancredi and Co who have intimidating Physique..

You're right.
Ajibade and Ayinde were given straight reds and therefore, will miss two (2) games.
They both missed the WAFCON 3rd place match against Zambia and will miss the WWC opening match against Canada.

lovewins:
It's just the game against Canada. The closest example to reference is Iwobi. Remember he got a red card in AFCON round of 16. That made him ineligible for our world cup qualifiers games (2) against Ghana. He the resumed against Sierra Leone in our AFCON qualifiers.

Again, its about perspective.
My point is based on having watched her last 5 games with the Super Falcons, her passing efficiency, especially with her long balls (or up-field punts), have been hit or miss (actually, more 'miss' than 'hit').
Stats wise, her long pass turnover rate has been extremely high.

And she has been doing this a lot lately - even at club level.

Deltamani:
AkinD is wrong with this statement…. Ohale has gone better with her Passing game… She passes well from the Back and also delivers excellent Long balls..

Sorry, but from an indepth assessment standpoint, the full match will give you a better perspective vs. highlights.
Also, don't look at me regarding the WoM award in that game.
Not sure why she was chosen vs. Kanu, who I personally would have thought had an excellent game and ought to have been awarded WoM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XMH4hBvukE&t=3221s

BascoVanVeli:
Lol wat defense did we have to play against Burundi They barely had the ball.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdxNRJTK_C4

Granted, Onumonu has had a very rough period for both club and country. However, all it takes is one boost of confidence for us to see that galloping terror once again. I am optimistic for her because she also believes she has something to prove.
I have seen her come in and play off the left side of attack for FC Gotham in the NWSL.

Uchenna Kanu is also an option. However, I feel she is more effective coming in as a sub.

Regarding Ordega (who is likely the preferred option), she did come very late to camp - so realistically, she would not start.

BascoVanVeli:
Onumonu has been on the worst form of her career. If experience was the only factor Ordega should be starting. Plus I have not seen Onumonu play on the left side of attack before unlike Gift who plays there for club and country.

She won WoM at WAFCON vs. Burundi primarily because of her excellent defensive display, and not because of her passing accuracy out of the back. More often than not, she would rather punt the ball up-field, as opposed to looking for that right pass and building out from the back.

BascoVanVeli:
Ohale kick and rush She won a woman of the match at the WAFCON because of her delivery.

🗣️Our forward Toni Payne, who was among the scorers, reacts to our Saturday's comprehensive 8-1 friendly triumph over Australian side, Lions FC in Gold Coast 🇳🇿#SoarSuperFalcons #FIFAWWC             #TeamNigeria pic.twitter.com/9mfaXhPnCs

— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 15, 2023

Toni Payne interview after Queensland Lions Match

You are right.
For example, the German MNT used to do that in the early 2000's (not sure if they still do).
2 weeks before the WC begins, they only play low profile friendlies (against low division teams) to boost the confidence of the players. Scores used to be high - like 10 zip or there about.
This was strategic, because is helped reduce the risk of injury and helped them finesse game tactics and strategy in a match environment (set pieces, corner kicks, etc). And it actually worked out well for them, based on their results and performances

I suspect this is the approach Randy is taking here, based on the prevailing situation.

lovewins:
One of the benefits of us not playing friendlies cause the number of injuries that have arisen from these friendlies is alarming.

But you need to watch Demehin more, especially since she joined Stade.
She IS actually a ball playing CB - both herself and Ashleigh. Ohale and Ebi (especially Ohale) can be classified as 'Kick and Rush' CBs.

Regarding our outside backs, Alozie actually overlaps a whole lot more than Imuran.

Schemerkhiz:
From another angle again is Imuran at Left Back, Demehin and Imuran seems to have this Chemistry right from Rivers Angels, U20 days down to Stade de Reims..

Imuran like to burst forward with pace which Demehin on the other stands firm defensively, but Ashleigh Plumptre is more of a Ball Playing Center Back who likes to drive forward with the ball too...

Monday is still a newbie, having just completed her first year in Spain and only became a regular started prior to the end of the season - last 6 or so games.
Onumonu is a veteran of the NWSL and so brings that high level of experience to the table. It makes sense to me that Onumonu would start, and then bring in Monday to finish the job.
Front 3, baring injury, will LIKELY be Onumonu, Oshoala and Okoronkwo

BascoVanVeli:
I would have preferred Gift Monday over Onumonu if we are going with Oshoala up top..

@ Schemerkhiz,
I will have to disagree with you on this. Demehin brings more to the table than just Pace and Physical play.
She actually brings ALL the attributes you listed (highlighted below).

If you are able, please re-watch the Haiti and New Zealand friendlies again and just focus on her. I think you would agree she checks the box on all those attributes

Schemerkhiz:
The only Advantage Demehin is having over Plumptre is Pace, Physicality..

I don't see Demehin better than Plumptre in Positioning, Leadership and Communication, anticipation (Read game), Aerial Ability and Ball Playing/Distribution..

In terms of Tackling I will give it a 50/50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaP6t-E11tw

Interesting!
Thanks for the clarification

lovewins:
They already got the boots. Can't speak to what the contract says, but I arrived at the conclusion cause at least 3 members of the team put up appreciation post to Adidas and Ini particularly. Now that you mentioned it, it just may not be the whole squad who got it. I know for it's typical for footballers to have peculiar deals with shoe companies. Rinsola for instance has a deal with Puma. All of these are speculative though.

How is that going to work?
Our kit is Nike and they are supposed to provide shoes.
Unless the Nike contract is a ‘Jerseys only’ contract, which will be strange

lovewins:
Former Super Falcons player Ini Umotong who now works at Adidas appear to have facilitated the provision of new boots to the ladiies. They all seem very elated.

That's why it may not be such a good idea to play many friendlies before a major competition.
This lady is by far their best keeper and this is a monumental loss for Zambia.
The medical report is she tore both her ACL and MCL. She is probably out for a year and may also miss the WAFCON and Olympics qualifiers

Deltamani:
Copper Queens of 🇿🇲Zambia goalkeeper Hazel Nali to injured with few days Left for the Women’s World Cup.

Nali suffered a tear of the ACL on her left knee during their international friendly with Switzerland on July 7.

This is coming as a huge blow for the goalie who was looking forward to her first World Cup and also the team.

Randy has worked with him recently (Mexico - Revelation Tourney) and seems to like what he brings to the table

lovewins:
Is this at the instant of Randy or the NFF?

To call Olajire a fool would be unfair. The guy is a complete neanderthal!

So his explanation of how the $960,000 was spent are the trips to engage Canada, Japan and the US? Okay.
For the sake of argument, lets assume each trip cost $5000 each per person (even though it isn't that high in reality, as the NFF are cheap skates and will book economy seats, BUT I will indulge his stupidity).

Randy mentioned 11 staff and 23 players comprise the Travelling team. Lets even say they are 35 people in the team.
$5000.00 x 35 = $175K. per trip. As customary, food and hotel accommodation is covered by the hosts.
For the three trips, total expenditure is $525,000.
We know the NFF didn't pay any per diem and has not paid the ladies their outstanding dues.

So, Mr. Olajire, what about the remaining $435,000

Deltamani:
Ona NFF sha😂😹😂

That would only prove they are guilty as charged - I hope they wouldn't be that stupid but hey, they have always shown Nigerians how daft they are, so I wouldn't put it beyond them.

Not only that, Randy just stated he has receipts on them - all the email communications that would confirm and expose their corrupt intents! This guy has them by the balls!

AndSunGorilla:
Can the NFF sack him now? I say that because e don seriously expose them.

I disagree.
NOW is the time to spill the beans - there is no 'right time' to tell the truth and out those bastards at the NFF.
According to Randy's comments, the hydrahead and problem with the NFF is MOHAMMED SANUSI.

I really appreciate Randy saying all this because we the fans would never have know about the details. If this came out after the WWC, it would have been swept under the carpet and they would have gone into business as usual mode.

Randy exposed the abject STUPIDITY of the people running the NFF. They are the ones responsible for the poor performances of our teams. They are not intelligent enough to plan ahead and they are nothing but thieving crooks!

Thanks, Randy, for exposing these vagabonds!!

AndSunGorilla:
My only comment is Baba for wait till after the WC to spill all these beans. All the rant is distracting to the team and truth is he has endured it for a long time anyway.

🇳🇬Settling down for business 😉

Our final training preparations continue in Gold Coast 🇳🇿 ahead of our ninth #FIFAWWC campaign

#SoarSuperFalcons #TeamNigeria pic.twitter.com/GjZiawJiNM

— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 5, 2023

Qatar Airways (FIFA Partner)
Abuja - Doha - Brisbane

23 hrs flight time (including lay over in Doha). Not too bad for the SF recovery time.

Then? Yes. Now, absolutely NOT!

Recently, Oshoala has been the top striker and by extension, top scorer for the world's best women's football clubside for about 3 years running now.
You don't 'move' such a player to accommodate someone who is clearly, not as good. I really don't see how that would 'favor' the team. A like for like sub for Oshoala? Perhaps. It’s all about 'RECENCY' and based on that (and not individuality), Oshoala is, by far, the best option as top striker and not Oparanozie, IMO.

I was impressed with the chemistry she had with the likes of Esther, Payne, Ajibade, Echegini and others in the series against Haiti and New Zealand. Ball movement, channel running, etc. It was seemless. Impressive. No way would a coach disrupt that to accomodate another player who was the #9 in the past.

Deltamani:
So what are you insinuating? That Randy should play Oparanozie from the Flank once she come on?? or better still push Oshoala to the Flank??. Oshoala has two World Cup goals yes but she wasn’t the team no.9 then..

We’re after what would favour the team as a whole not any individuality..

That would have made sense if you had someone who could deliver goals in her stead.
The problem is pushing your best striker out to the flanks to accommodate someone who, for all intents and purposes, has been poor as a top 9 in the WWC. She has yet to score a single goal in 3 world cup performances. To make it even worse, she has an OG to her name.

Meanwhile, the person making way for her has 2 WWC goals in 2 world cup appearances. That makes no sense to me!

Deltamani:
Forwards Variety. Esther Okoronkwo, Fransisca Ordega, Monday Gift, Uchenna Kanu are all wide forwards who operate best from the flanks. Rasheedat Ajibade is a shadow forward, basically a 10 in some occasion and a can come from the Wing depending on where the Coach wants her... Ifeoma Onumonu, Asisat Oshoala & Desire Oparanozie are out and out, "targetwomen" kinda forwards though Desire Oparanozie is the only natural no.9 in the Squad right now, The kind of formation Randy will employ will determine who best fit in to makes a great difference..

But as for me I would like to have Desire Oparanozie off the bench and push Asisat Oshoala to the flank once she comes in.. Oshoala is good at delivering balls into the Box too.