Nigeria player ratings: Payne steals the show; Nnadozie vocal; Ebi, Ohale solid; Chikwelu uninspiring

Nigeria's Super Falcons were able to get their chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Thursday night with a 2-0 win over Botswana.

Having lost their opening game against South Africa with a 2-1 defeat, the nine-time African champions had to get the victory to keep their chances of qualifying alive. Ifeoma Onumonu and Christy Ucheibe got the goals for the team.

Allnigeriasoccer.com provides the ratings for the Super Falcons.

The Starters

Goalkeeper
 

Chiamaka Nnadozie: Commanding performance. Vocal and directed her teammates admirably. Her aura spread across the team and made some routine saves from tame balls that came her way. 8/10

Defenders
 

Onome Ebi: Solid display from the centre-back. Scare in the 37th minute as she lost a foot race. Botswana tried to capitalise on her lack of pace but she was able to compensate for that with her positioning. Her aerial presence also helped calm things at the back. 7/10

Ohale Osinachi: Great display alongside her partner. Mopped up many attempted through balls from Botswana and quietly did her job perfectly. Her passing was also a key asset in recycling the ball effectively from the back. 7.5/10

Michelle Alozie: Outstanding recovery pace to stop a quick counter-attack in the 5th minute. Stayed very much in her own half to help defensive solidity. On the few times she went on the attacking forays, she made good things out of them. 7/10

Toni Payne: Genius move from Waldrum to put her in the left-back position despite being a midfielder. She delivered an outstanding display from the left-back position. Being right-footed, she had the advantage of coming inside on her stronger foot and she made use of it devastatingly.

Carved Botswana open through the middle on countless occasions with smart inside dribbles. Capped a beautiful night with an assist for the second goal with a great corner kick. 9/10

Midfielders and strikers

Halimatu Ayinde: Busy. A real nuisance to play against on the night as opposed to the flat display against South Africa. She was combative and disrupted everything Botswana tried to build through the middle. Sometimes played as a single pivot and did very well. Needs to work on some of her first touches though. 8/10

Rita Chikwelu: Hasn't got much going for her in this tournament. Continued her uninspiring display from the South Africa game and was rightly hooked off at half-time. Quiet game apart from a few bursts. 5.5/10

Ngozi Okobi : Helped to keep possession between the lines. Could have done more with her off-the-ball runs but a good place to start. Tidy performance. 7/10

Rasheedat Ajibade: Was shifted wide but came off to rapturous applause which says so much about her performance. Direct, pacy and a nightmare to play against. Carried out her defensive duties perfectly and was a good outlet on the flank. 8/10

Francisca Ordega: Combined well with Payne to cause havoc on the right flank. Helped out defensively too but could have been a bit more decisive in the final third. Didn't take matters into her own hands as much as possible. 7.5/10

Ifeoma Onumonu: Typical number 9 performance from the Gotham FC striker. Dropped off very well to combine with the midfielders and draw fouls. Lovely anticipation and finish from Ayinde's sumptuous pass to put Nigeria ahead.

Missed a great chance after a defence-splitting pass from Gift Monday in the 66th minute with her effort well saved by the Botswana goalkeeper. 8.5/10

The Substitutes

Christy Ucheibe: Had an instant impact after replacing Chikwelu at half-time with a headed goal from Payne's corner kick in the 48th minute. Full of running and helped keep up pressure on Botswana's defence. 7.5/10
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Gift Monday: Great cameo. Replaced Ordega in the 63rd minute and could have got an assist if Onumonu had scored from her perfectly weighted pass. Could have grabbed a goal herself but her weak header was saved. 6.5/10

Regina Otu: Came on for Okobi in the 63rd minute to add more legs to the midfield. 5/10

Uchenna Kanu: Replaced Ajibade in the 75th minute and she helped keep possession and add an attacking drive. Not a bad cameo. 5.5/10

Chinonyerem Macleans: Came on for Onumonu who deserved rest after a lot of tireless running in the 82nd minute. Nothing spectacular. 5/10.

Sofoluwe Mayowa

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