Nigeria player ratings : Ajibade taliswoman, Ohale commanding, Ucheibe & Ayinde sparkle

Nigeria's Super Falcons qualified for the semifinals of the 2022 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday evening at the Stade Mohammed Stadium in Morocco after a slim 1-0 win over Cameroon.

The win means that Nigeria will face hosts Atlas Lionesses of Morocco after they beat Botswana with a 2-1 scoreline.

Allnigeriasoccer.com provides the ratings for the Super Falcons.

The Starters

Goalkeeper

Chiamaka Nnadozie: Another commanding performance. Nnadozie commanded her box impressively and only made some routine stops as Cameroon's attacks were thwarted. Got an injury scare late in the game but was okay to finish the match. 7/10

Defenders
 

Onome Ebi: Solid display. Calm and outstanding positioning. Her aerial presence also helped calm things at the back. Almost got outpaced occasionally when she pushed up the pitch but was generally commanding. 7.5/10

Ohale Osinachi: Great display alongside her partner. Outstanding ball-playing ability. Composed and commanding when faced with one on ones. Robust tackling, great performance. 8.5/10

Toni Payne: Started at right-back and was a bit less effective on the attack. Great second phase outlet and was solid in defending. Looked a bit shaky toward the end as she misplaced some passes in dangerous areas. Good outing. 7/10

Ashleigh Plumptre: Not a great day but was generally solid. The left-back position may possibly be taking away what she does best. Got outmuscled on several occasions and eventually subbed off in the 62nd minute. 6.5/10

Midfielders and strikers

Christy Ucheibe: One word to describe Ucheibe is "powerful". Was almost unplayable at times as she held onto the ball and invited challenges. Offered great runs off the ball too and was subbed in the 89th minute possibly due to fatigue. 8/10

Halimatu Ayinde: Immense performance at the base of midfield. Was sometimes left isolated in midfield against Cameroon's attackers and did well to channel most of their attacks wide. 8/10

Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene: Improved a lot from her usual lacklustre performances. Was instrumental in the opening goal as her mazy dribble ended up in the path of Onumonu who sent in the cross that would later decide the match. 7.5/10

Rasheedat Ajibade: Is there any other word to describe the quality that Ajibade brings to the team? Relentless and reliable in possession despite playing almost wide at times. Scored the match-winning goal with a header which went in off the post. Nigeria's taliswoman in Oshoala's absence. 9/10

Francisca Ordega: Was involved in almost every good move down the left flank. Needs to be more assertive in the final third but causes problems with her movement and skills. Subbed off in the 72nd minute 7/10

Ifeoma Onumonu: Lively performance but wasn't at her clinical best today. Had great chances but skied her effort from close range. Hardworking and got the assist for the winning goal after a good cross for Ajibade to score. 7.5/10

The Substitutes

Michelle Alozie: Replaced Plumptre in the 65th minute and almost got injured from a nasty fall after a powerful run a minute after coming on. Did well but almost caused some nerves after she misplaced key passes in dangerous positions. 5.5/10

Uchenna Kanu: Came on for Ordega in the 72nd minute and added more legs to the team. 5/10

Rita Chikwelu: Came on for Okobi and helped close down the midfield. 5/10

Regina Otu: Replaced Ucheibe in the 89th minute which was just a substitution to run down the clock. No rating

Gift Monday: Replaced Onumonu in the 89th minute and was another substitution to run down the clock. No rating.

Sofoluwe Mayowa

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com