Five Talking Points From Nigeria's Shock Defeat To South Africa In AWCON Opener

The Super Falcons were guilty of giving away the ball several times in the game.

That put paid sometimes to promising build up plays and handed initiatives to the nippy South Africans.

The Nigerian girls would need to be more assured when dictating the pace of the game.


2. Okobi Deserves To Play From The Start

Ngozi Okobi came off the bench to replace injured captain Rita Chikwelu and she brought some calmness in the Nigerian midfield.

The Falcons weighed in with some great passes but unfortunately was not on the pitch for greater part of the game to make the difference.

She deserves to start against Zambia on Wednesday.


3. Oparanozie Worst Game For Falcons

Thus would surely go down as Desire Oparanozie's worst game for Nigeria.

The striker spurned two clear cut scoring chances neither did she create goal scoring opportunities of note for her teammates.

4. The Ghanaian Fans' Support For South Africa

A section of the crowd that watched the game with colorful polos and the map of Ghana on the front cheered every move made by the Bayana Bayana.

Nigeria and Ghana have football rivalry in both the men and women's categories, and now South Africa are emerging as one of Nigeria's toughest rivals.

Ghanaian fans will definitely not want their team to face Nigeria in the semifinals hence the motive for their allegiance.


5. The Falcons Will Need To Play Two Up Top Versus Zambia

Coach Thomas Dennerby deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation with Desire Oparanozie as the lone striker and the duo of Asisat Oshoala and Francisca Ordega playing from the wings.

Against Zambia, Dennerby needs to pair Oshoala and Oparanozie from the start of the game.

Oparanozie was sometimes isolated upfront but that was no excuse for the gilt-edge chances she wasted.


Izuchukwu Okosi