2023 FIFA WWC: Nigeria’s Christy Ucheibe rated as sixth best tackler in the world

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria midfielder, Christy Ucheibe has been rated as one of the players with the most tackles at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Spain won the tournament after a 1-0 win over England thanks to Olga Camona’s goal in the final match on Sunday and FIFA have released players statistics compiled from Opta Sports, a British sports analytics company.

Ucheibe with a total of 36 tackles was rated the seventh-best tackler at the tournament behind Australia’s Katrina Gory (59 tackles), Netherland’s Jackie Groenen (44 tackles), England’s Georgia Stanway (44 tackles), Sweden’s Filipa Angeldal (43 tackles), France’s Grace Geyoro (40 tackles), and England’s Lucy Bronze (37 tackles).

The SL Benfica midfielder ranked above Keira Walsh (England), Ona Batlle (Spain), and Lorena Bedoya (Colombia).

In terms of tackles made per 90 minutes, Ucheibe was ranked fourth with 7.4 behind Jackie Groenen (7.9), Katrina Gory (7.8), and Grace Geyoro (7.6).

For blocks made, Ucheibe has been ranked eighth with 23 tackles ahead of Bambanani Mbane (South Africa) and Steph Catley (Australia).

As far as blocks made per 90 minutes, Ucheibe was ranked ninth with 4.7. She played every minute of Super Falcons’ four games at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup against Canada, Australia, the Republic of Ireland, and England.