Paris 2024 Qualifier: Nigeria players ratings after a slim win over Cameroon

By Wale Mustapha

The Nigeria women’s national team got the better of Cameroon with a slender 1-0 to secure passage to final round of Paris 2024 Olympics qualifiers on Monday.

Esther Okoronkwo scored the lone goal for the nine-time WAFCON champions in the 14th minutes to qualify 1-0 on aggregate after both sides settled for goalless draw in the first leg last Friday in Yaounde.

Here is how the Super Falcons’ players fared in the pulsating encounter.

Chiamaka Nnadozie – 9/10

She did excellently way with great goalkeeping in all situations she was called to action.

Nnadozie made three big saves to keep the scoreline in favor of Nigeria.

Her coordination of the defense help the team to sail through the worries Cameroonians especially in the second half.

Ashley Plumptre – 7/10

The Saudi based defender lived up to expectations especially in the first half.

Her aerial presence with interceptions were perfect.

She was put to some difficulties in the second half with the Cameroonians coming out smoking but she pulled through with some needed blockings and clearances.

Oluwatosin Demehin – 5/10

The young defender had a torrid moments from the match, more like she was suffering from fitness.

She did well with few of her involvements but couldn’t see to the end of the first half.

Osinachi Ohale – 7.5/10

Leader at the back as always, Ohale led well at the back and controlled Nigeria’s defense perfectly.

She won three aerial duels and also initiated two attacks with long passes that almost result to goal for the Falcons.

Michelle Alozie – 7/10

Alozie did better than her last game in Cameroon.

She defended well and kept out Cameroon wingers from operating from her side.

She also did well her deliveries put the right foot forward when she needed to break the play of the opponents.

Jennifer Echegini – 8/10

A good addition to the match from the start, Echegini added more bites to Falcons’ attack and was more creative with her passes.

She could have gotten a goal but was too slow to take aim at goal before the keeper intercepted her.

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Christy Ucheibe – 7.5/10

Ucheibe did excellent job in an unusual position.

She was drafted to defense to fill in for injured Demehin and she didn’t disappoint.

The SL Benfica midfielder started the game from central midfield where she was hard on Cameroonians.

One of her tackles got led her to be booked.

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Deborah Abiodun – 8.5/10

The youngster was fantastic in midfield for Nigeria.

She was breaking almost the moves by the opponents in the midfield.

Her interceptions and link up okays were also excellent as well.

Arguably the best outfield player for Nigeria in the match.

Rasheed Ajibade – 8.5/10

She was an initiator of most Nigeria’s attacks.

Ajibade also helped to defend well when needed.

She was all over every departments in the midfield drawing four fouls.

She was indeed handful for the Cameroonians.

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Esther Okoronkwo – 8/10

Okoronkwo justified the nod to start the match ahead of Oshoala as she scored the only goal of the match.

She could have scored more had she decisive enough.

She was handful for the Cameroonians with her her height and physique.

Tony Payne – 6.5/10

Payne was somewhat quiet in the match as she was now allowed more space to deliver more crosses from the flank.

She will claim part of the credits for the goal as her deliveries resulted to goal mouth meele before Okoronkwo buried it.

Substitutes:

Uchenna Kanu – 4/10

She couldn’t justify her position to replace Okoronkwo.

Kanu hardly make a successful or meaningful pass in the match.

She was also poor when she’s expected to make use of her physicality to ward off threats from the opponent.

Asisat Oshoala – 5.5/10

The reigning added more bites to the team’s attack as her presence put the Cameroon defense under intense check.

She made two good runs that almost result to goal for Nigeria.

Akudo Ogbonna – 4/10

She came in late into the game as replacement for Alozie but did well to keep Nigeria’s right side of defense away from threats.

Rinsola Babajide – 4.5/10

The Tenerife attacker made two meaningful impacts with short moments she had.

One of her efforts almost result to a goal.

She also helped to defend the goal at the closing minutes.