Robo Queens manager discusses Nigeria’s deficiencies from Canada tie

By Wale Mustapha

President and Technical Director of FC Robo Queens, Emmanuel Osahon has described Super Falcons’ performance in their FIFA Women’s World Cup opening match against Canada as encouraging.

The Nigerian senior women team held Canada to goalless draw in Brisbane in the early hours of Friday despite finishing the game with 10 players but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie emerged heroine of the match with heroic performance as she stopped a second half penalty.

Osahon who is instrumental to the development of some of Nigeria superstars, including Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade and Monday Gift says the team still have much rooms to be better.

“It was not a bad match, we were able to contain the Canadians throughout the match, so it was a good start for Nigeria,” the Robo Queens manager told media.

“They have really done well, to have been able to contain the Olympic champions to this level, they have done well. It’s just that there were many lapses during the game.

“We had chances that could have hurt them, but we could not utilize them, first of all, Asisat needed to hold on a little before executing her plans.

“There were too many gaps between our strikers, no cohesion between our midfielders, no coordination in the midfield, and the Canadians had a number 10 who dictated the pace, but we had our number 10 who did back passes, that is definitely an area our coaches need to work on.

“And I say it again to anybody who cares to listen, that individually, these girls are good, but collectively, that might be a big problem.”

The Super Falcons will next play against the World Cup co-host, Australia on July 27, 11 am Nigerian time.