Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has expressed satisfaction with his players performance against Tunisia.
Nigeria got off to a perfect start at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations courtesy of a 3-0 victory over the North Africans.
Asisat Oshoala opened scoring for the nine-time champions after four minutes, while Omorinsola Babajide doubled the advantage on the stroke of half time.
Substitute Chiwendu Ihezuo netted the third six minutes from time.
“It always feels good each time you set out to go out for a game. The ultimate goal for you is to win. And the fact that the team won, obviously, it is only natural that we are happy that the team won,” Madugu said during his interaction with the media after the game.
Read Also:WAFCON 2024: Nnadozie Excited With Super Falcons Win Against Tunisia
Substitutes Esther Okoronkwo, Christy Ucheibe, and Chiwendu Ihezuo all make positive impact following their introduction.
Madugu declared that every player is important in the team.
“Well, every player that is here is equally of great importance. For us, they all are our players and we try as much as possible to promote team harmony and make everybody feel relevant in the team and nobody feels more important than the other,” Madugu added.
“The game is a team sport. You all need each other. And so we try as much as possible to ensure that we do the right thing by being fair, transparent in all that we do.
“Like I said, everybody has an equal chance of being in the team. So whoever does well continues, whoever does not do well, obviously, because we want to do better, we have the privilege of making those changes so that we get the team going.”
By Adeboye Amosu
10 Comments
Super Flacons v Tunisia: 3-0 Retrospective Review (PT 1)
Well, let me keep it real: I didn’t watch this match, I couldn’t watch it because it was not live on YouTube. However, from what I could cobble together from the brief highlight I watched and information available on the internet, one can make something of a subjective judgement of the direction of travel of the Super Falcons.
Coach Madugu is your quintessential Nigeria coach. His formation is clear enough, even from highlights, and he allows the players to fully express themselves which was evidence in how Okoronkwo and Plumptre in particular went about their business.
PART 2:
Plumptre was like an Alsatian dog let off the leash! She overlapped with impunity, delivering a wide range of gratuitous, yet extremely dangerous crosses, leading to a pre-assist and several tantalising goal-scoring chances (it’s a shame she missed out on “player of the match” accolade).
Okoronkwo was irrepressible, ever the show-boater, but with wicked intention and ruthless efficiency. Her fancy footwork dazzled and dazed the opposition, adding a layer of flair and flamboyance to the Super Falcons’ presentation. Some other tactically grounded coach might seek to curb her excesses, but I doubt Madugu will do that; me? I am loving it; I just hope she doesn’t overdo it against a more formidable opposition.
Madugu arranged the players in their natural positions, something I was most pleased with. That said, I think Abiodun and Ucheibe will struggle to fully maximise the opportunities afforded to them in a more offensive role. Abiodun did drive into opposition area and produced an excellent attempt at goal. But, for the most part, a player with a keen eye for late runs, clinical finishes, and sumptuous passes will be better suited. The coach plays something of a diamond 3 in the middle: 1 DM, 1CM (with dual attacking and defensive roles) and on AM. It is that CM roles that needs a player with more vision, creativity, a penchant for late runs, and offensive bite.
Part 3
The team relies on the 2 wingbacks to incessantly overlap and deliver dangerous crosses, which Alozie and Plumptre delivered in spades. The team proved deadly with set-pieces as one led to a goal and others created mayhem for the opposition.
Oshoala, ever the target of vitriol from a horde of fans, looked sharp and dialled in. She almost bagged a second goal after a mazy run and nearly registered an assist with a neat pass to Abiodun, who drew a respectable save from the Tunisia goalie.
I was shocked to see how physical Rinsola turned out to be as she often ploughed through a body of opposition defenders with reckless abandon. I wait to see how she will fare against Zambians et al.
Part 4
What else? Yeah, numbers.
Based on the calibre of our strikers and the quality of their shots on the day, it is reckoned that 3.06 goals would be scored and 3.33 shots would be on target. Well, it was bang on the money! There were 9 Super Falcons shots actually on target out of 24 in total, 16 of which were taken inside the opposition’s 18-yard box. Super Falcons registered 39 touches in the opposition’s area.
It expected Nnadozie to concede 0 goals and Tunisian counterpart to concede 3.33 goals. The team recorded an 83% pass accuracy, something some fans who watched live will refute vehemently!
Final part
The goals, for me, were well taken: Oshoala’s dipping header, Babajide’s bullish finish, and Iheuzo’s opportunism.
My bottom line: The Super Falcons did the business with 3 unrequited goals. They appeared relaxed, at ease and in control.
But, I don’t think they were as business-like as one would expect. Expressive play comprises both positional discipline and tactical integrity in modern football.
For now, well done to the team!
Correction:
Expressive play “compromises” both positional discipline and tactical integrity in modern football.
Oga, work on the attack. They seem so wastful and are terrible at shooting. Moat of their shots on target looked like tame passes to the goalkeeper. It’s a serious technical deficiency the team should have overcome. I commend the defense and the midfield though. They tried.
Papafem no mind deo I doubt if he watched the match to be hailing Oshoala and co who were guilty of losing final balls in attack. Even her goal was a deflection from her neck lol.
Rinsola was the toast for me. Complete player uses the ball well. Let Okoronkwo start Oshoala goes back to Bench else we will pay the price when she misses sitters against teams that ref will take sides with. Magudu has sweet mouth but him don dey change from my favourite for giving an off form player that misses chances to start as 9 because of big name. And play Jennifer over Payne, Uchiebe over Abiodun guilty of rash tackle that can result to red. Honest input!!!
Not impressed. I just see a group of talented players expressing themselves with little to zero coaching input. The organization or pattern is not very clear. The tactical play in use is amorphous. Misplaced passes, players bumping into each another, tame shots everywhere.
Not taking anything away from the girls. But clearly no gelling denominator. I’ve watched a few of their coaching sessions; you hardly see anyone leading a tactical session or dishing out instructions. It’s just a white guy taking them on a fitness run.
This one is on you, incurably clueless NFF. I doubt this team will be able to go past Zambia, SA. Senegal, or Morocco. Tunisia cannot be a measuring yardstick. They’re the weakest team in the group, if not the entire competition.
The shock for me is that this tournament would determine the four nations that would play in 2027 world cup.
I don’t know the rationale behind that decision because there is another WAFCON next year.
My prayer is that our players should huff and puff and succeed to semi finals first because I no see the effect of “prolonged camping” in Sunday’s match from the coaching perspective.