Nigeria’s Super Falcons was held to a 0-0 draw by Algeria in their final Group B game at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
The Super Falcons went into the contest having already booked their place in the quarter-finals, thanks to wins against Tunisia and Botswana.
After three matches, the Super Falcons are yet to concede a single goal, but have found the net four times.
It was a game the nine-time African champions bossed in every aspect but score.
Also Read: WAFCON 2024: We Will Give Our All Against Super Falcons — Algeria Coach Benstiti
They had 24 shots to Algeria’s one, and had two shots on target while the North Africans had non.
Also the team edged possession, 55 percent to 45 percent and made 377 passes compared to 338 made by Algeria.
Head coach Justin Madugu made changes in his starting line-up, with regulars like Osinachi Ohale, Ashleigh Plumptre, Halimotu Ayinde, Michelle Alozie, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun and Asisat Oshoala benched.
In his starting eleven were Chiamaka Nnadozie, Rasheedat Ajibade, Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Echegini, Ifeoma Onumonu, Chiwendu Ihezuo, Francisca Ordega, Tosin Demehin, Shukurat Oladipupo, Sikiratu Isah and Miracle Usani.
In the group’s other tie almost played on Sunday Botswana defeated Tunisia 2-1.
After the conclusion of the preliminary round, the Super Falcons finished top of Group B on seven points, Algeria in second place on five points, Botswana placed third on three points while Tunisia finished bottom with just one point.
By James Agberebi
4 Comments
Our super falcons played very well Once again but somehow i hope we don’t concede first in any of knockout matches bcos smh we have struggled to score goal in the last 2 matches….
Botswana ranked 153rd in the world.
Nigeria, 36th.
Algeria 82nd
No shot on target in the first 45 minutes by Nigeria against those lowly ranked opponents 24 months after dazzling the world in new Zealand world cup.
And someone, sorry Deo, says falcons are pragmatic with inability to break down ordinary local kids groomed teams IN 2025!
I can thank NFF for one thing: they didn’t waste money planning friendlies for the Falcons under the current perpetually interim our own coach.
However, if Plumptre fails to qualify for the next women’s world cup by crashing again to Zambia because NFF always seems to sabotage female football by NOT PLANNING to improve the team and instead enjoys the huff and puff football we just played today against a team we FORTUNATELY beat twice at home 8 months ago, glasshouse should resign.
If they will not because it is the “turn of the other region to rule”, they will be mad to seek a second term.
If Plumptre and co manages to beat Zambia, it will be in spite of Madugu and his bench.
When was the last time we had no shot at goal in back to back matches in COMPLETE FIRST HALF against school girls opponents???
We dey forbid to improve if “minnows” are doing such?
It is true we haven’t lost a game this year but it will be a travesty to lose at the MOST CONSEQUENTIAL GAME because of clueless bench.
A tip for Madugu. Practice lots of shooting accuracy in training with the girls.
And also fast reaction in the final 3rd. No excessive dressing. No 2 touches. Sub-second reaction and shor accuracy.
That’s the advantage Zambia will have. They have a far higher shot to conversion rate.
11 shots, none on target. That’s cannot be a coincidence.
The truth is, this team has been in decline for years. There is no real quality anymore, and year after year, things only get worse. Countries that were nowhere near our level a decade ago have now caught up, and in some cases, even surpassed us. Meanwhile, we have made no meaningful progress. If this trend continues, the so-called “weaker” teams we see in this tournament today will soon become impossible for us to beat, not because they have suddenly become powerhouses, but because they are improving while we are deteriorating.
At the heart of the problem is corruption. Football administrators in Nigeria have failed to do the most basic thing: discover and develop new talent from the local league. We keep recycling the same old players. There is no serious scouting, no real investment in grassroots development, and no vision for the future.
On the pitch, the deficiencies are glaring. This team cannot create chances, and they cannot score. Set pieces, free kicks, and corner kicks are wasted over and over again. They cannot even shoot with accuracy from outside the box. Technically, they are lacking. Just look at how Algeria played, crisp passing, organized structure, and a team that looked far more coordinated than ours.
The Falcons are stuck on past glory. We were at the first Women’s World Cup in the early 90s, yet here we are today, barely holding onto a world ranking in the 30s. How many new players have truly emerged in recent years? Can we honestly point to any rising star who has been discovered and developed through a clear system?
Until we get serious about football development, scouting talent across Nigeria, and hiring coaches who can teach real technical and tactical football, we will continue to struggle. We cannot keep playing mediocre football and expect results. Personally,
I do not believe we have what it takes to beat Zambia in the quarterfinals. I will watch, but with little expectation. It is a sad reality.