‘It won’t be easy’ – Halimatu Ayinde ready to inspire Nigeria past Australia

Nigeria midfielder Halimatu Ayinde says she is ready to contribute her quota to the team’s success against Australia on Thursday after she missed out the opening match of the Women’s World Cup.

The former Eskilstuna United star had featured in two previous tournaments in Canada and France but was left out of the opening match against the Olympic champions due to suspension.

In the absence of Ayinde, the Super Falcons forced Canada to a 0-0 draw with 19-year-old midfielder, Abiodun Deborah getting a red card on her debut appearance at the World Cup.

The 28-year-old is eager to improve the ranks of the West Africans going up against the Matildas.

“I’m gonna compliment the work my teammates they had done against Canada into this game,” Ayinde told www.nigeriafootball.ng

“I’m going bring good and hundred percent energy to the team. I’m feeling pumped up and excited to be back with the team again.”

The Rosengård midfielder was part of the team that suffered a 2-0 loss to the Aussies at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Winnipeg and she insists they under no pressure to avenge their loss.

“We are gonna stay focused for 90 minutes,” she continued.

“I know it is not easy to do that, but we have to because they are an attacking team that likes to attack all the time.

“Not under any form of pressure, we already know that it’s going to be a difficult game but we are excited and ready for it.”

Chiamaka Nnadozie was the player of the match after saving Christine Sinclair’s second-half penalty to salve a point for the nine-time African champions.

And the Delta Queens product recounted her frustrations on the sidelines, having missed being part of the party to face up against the Canadians in Melbourne.

“It was not easy watching from outside against Canada, to be honest, the pressure almost gave me High Blood Pressure,” she further disclosed.

“We were not taking care of the ball enough, that was why we couldn’t beat them [Canada], but then the team did a very good defensive job to prevent them from scoring too. That was positive enough.”